Carolina Hurricanes: 2006 Stanley Cup Champions

And that was all she wrote for the 2005-06 season of NHL hockey. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Edmonton Oilers in seven games to win Lord Stanley's cherished mug, and an entire country was left dejected for the second year in a row as their bandwagon club fell short after coming so far.

But how did it happen? Well I can't tell you for sure, I can only tell you what I saw as I watched the Stanley Cup Final. That's why I'm here today.

It's my opinion that, while it did not directly cost them the series, the loss of Dwayne Roloson indirectly cost Edmonton the Stanley Cup. The nerves of Ty Conklin late in Game 1 led to a fumbled puck, and a degree of unfamiliarity between the netminder and captain Jason Smith resulted in a loss that may not have been had Roloson not been hurt (or had fate seen Jussi Markkanen as the backup that night). I also think that the Game 2 loss was a result of being rocked by the loss of their all-world keeper, a carryover that showed up on the scoreboard. Thankfully for the Oilers, however, Markkanen didn't play like a goalie who deserved a 5-0 loss and there was suddenly a belief that the series was not out of reach.

Going back home down 2-0, anything less than two wins for Edmonton was a recipe to lose the Cup, regardless of the resilience the Oilers showed all playoffs. They split, losing a Game 4 in which they actually probably played better than they did in the Game 3 victory. Not good going back to the road for two of the next three (if they were lucky). Still, Markkanen looked very solid and the team was playing like they thought a series win was not out of the question, so you never could tell for sure.

The Oilers took Game 5 by playing a perfect road game - the game they really needed to play in Game 7. As he had so many times this spring, Fernando Pisani gave the team hope with a shorthanded overtime goal, and all the talk was about how the Oilers had momentum coming back home for Game 6. The 4-0 score of that sixth game, and the fact that Carolina looked completely lost, secured the belief that the momentum belonged to the Oilers, and for the first time in the Stanley Cup Final people were talking like the series was Edmonton's to lose.

Unfortunately, it was not to be, as Carolina took advantage of Edmonton's overly passive road approach in the deciding contest. The Oilers played like a club that was expecting the Hurricanes to come hard and try to stomp them into the ice, and that's what Carolina did. Edmonton looked exceptional in the third period, and I have no doubt that I'd be writing about what went wrong for Carolina today if the Oilers had punched sixty of those minutes last night instead of twenty, but here we are. By the time Edmonton got off their heels and started making smart dumps and playing with a physical edge, they were down by two goals with their best chances of the night behind already behind them. The Canes shut things down and began to choke off the neutral zone, completely nullifying the speed of the Oilers and showing that they could actually be defensively responsible when called upon to do so. Game, set, match. Your 2006 Stanley Cup Champions: the Carolina Hurricanes.

Take nothing away from those Hurricanes, however. They are a great team and they fully deserved to win the Cup this season. They were built to thrive in the new, skating-first NHL, and that's exactly what they did. They had a great forward core, a sound defense, and a wonder-kid goalie in Cam Ward whose Conn Smythe win might now make him the best young netminder in the league. So don't think for a minute that the Oilers lost this series - Carolina did a pretty good job of winning it, in my opinion. It was also good to see that it wasn't on Jussi Markkanen that Edmonton lost, because the Oilers deserved better after the way they played all spring and better was what they got. In fact, most believe Markkanen saved his NHL career with this performance, which is far better than hearing how he single-handedly lost the Stanley Cup.

In conclusion, I'd like to say that had Dwayne Roloson stayed healthy, I truly think this series would have been over in six games and it would have been in favor of Edmonton. I think having Conklin step in late in Game 1 secured a loss, and I think the Oilers were badly shaken in Game 2 because Roloson was toast for the series. By the time they pulled it together, it was too late. Carolina was opportunistic, got some breaks, and made the absolute most of what they had, and that's what champions do, so congratulations to them.

And to all my fellow Leaf fans out there who hopped on the Oilers bandwagon only to be crushed last night, I offer you this piece of wisdom: at least Ottawa didn't win.

The Opinion Blog of Matthew Ryder

No Post Friday Past...

Sorry for not having a post up on Friday to those who have grown accustomed to reading. Saturday was the annual QMJHL Draft and there was an incredible amount of work involved in the selection process, as well as a lot of behind-the-scenes work that needed to be done.

Things will change slightly this week, as my next post will NOT definitely be on Friday, it will be the day after the Stanley Cup Final is over. If the Final ends Thursday, I'll post Friday, if it ends any other day the post will be on the following day. So be sure to check back the day after the Cup is handed out, as I plan on giving a brief overview as to why I feel the victorious club was indeed victorious.

Thanks for checking in.

The Opinion Blog of Matthew Ryder

The Stanley Cup Final

We've reached the end of the road in the NHL postseason, and it's time for my final series prediction of the spring. Given the magnitude of the series, my prediction will be more in-depth than the previous rounds, so let's take a look at how the Western Conference Champion Edmonton Oilers match up against their counterparts from the East, the Carolina Hurricanes, in all the key areas, after which I'll make the big call on who will walk away with the Stanley Cup.

Stanley Cup Final
(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (8) Edmonton Oilers

Between the Pipes
After watching the Canes operate a carousel of netminding throughout the first three rounds, one would have to think that this time it's going to be all Cam Ward unless something goes horribly amiss. He's not only been better than Gerber, but he's been better than every other goalie he's faced to this point (except for maybe Ryan Miller, who was excellent). He might be young, but he's proven that he can play huge games and make them look like a cakewalk, and it's my own opinion that we could be seeing the emergence of one of the NHL's elite big-game goaltenders here in 2006.

Nearly two-hundred feet away will stand a man that has paid his dues at every level, and has piqued later in his career than most netminders. Dwayne Roloson has long been a great AHL goaltender, and was also a great NHL goaltender in his time with Minnesota. He is one of the strongest mental goalies the league has ever seen, and is the battler between the pipes that Edmonton has sorely needed since Curtis Joseph left. He's acrobatic, quick, and smart, and he didn't come all this way just to earn a contract extension. Roli wants the Cup.

So who's got the advantage? My money is on Edmonton here, as much as I like and respect Cam Ward. Roloson is tougher mentally and physically, and he is playing like a man possessed right now. Carolina is going to have to work to get pucks past the Oilers' stopper, and if the way the West was won is any indication, that work might be too much for any team of mere mortals right now.
Advantage: Edmonton Oilers

Defense
Carolina's back end is anchored by some solid hockey players with lots of experience. Mike Commodore, Bret Hedican, Aaron Ward, Niclas Wallin and Glen Wesley have all played in a Stanley Cup Final before, which means that five of the top six D for the Canes know what's coming. That said, nobody on that list is in the category of 'offensive dynamo', and their most offensive-minded defenseman is Frankie Kaberle, who is notorious for coughing up pucks in his own end and/or making generally bad decisions with the biscuit. Also, while the blueline in Carolina has experience, nobody on the list is a true horse that can be relied on every night to play big minutes and shut down the opposition himself. Defense by committee is fine by me, but I think I'd rather have one big-minute guy and a committee of five than have six guys who all look like they should be playing on any other team's second pairing.

The Oilers' blueline is shockingly similar to that of the Hurricanes, with one big exception. Chris Pronger. Pronger is playing better now than he did in his Hart Trophy season in 2000, logging huge minutes and absolutely dominating whoever he's matched up against. Along with Pronger, hockey's greatest warrior directs the Edmonton defense corps, that man being Jason Smith. They call him 'Gator' because of his unusually reptilian feet, but they could easily call him Gator because he's ornery and tough and likes to prey on people who come into his territory. Add to the mix guys like Jaroslav Spacek and the other great warrior, Steve Staios, as well as a solid third pairing in Matty Greene and M-A Bergeron, and the Oilers have a mix that could be the recipe for success.

As far as an advantage goes, I'll once again have to grant it to Edmonton. I like Pronger's presence, especially when he's out there with Smith, and the other two pairs are more talented than Carolina's bottom-four, even if they do lack the same experience. It's a closer call than goaltending is, but Edmonton has the advantage on the blueline.
Advantage: Edmonton Oilers

Forwards
Up front Carolina is quick and deep with the like of Staal, Stillman, Weight, Recchi, and Williams. There's also a great deal of defensive conscience there with the Adams boys and Selke trophy nominee Rod Brind'Amour, so both ends of the ice will be secure. The Canes can score a lot in a short period of time with all this talent, and given that the fourth line has yet to record a point between them in the postseason you might see a hero born via a timely marker. The only downside is that sometimes the forwards get too cute with the puck and end up paying the price for it, but that doesn't happen enough to be a major concern.

Edmonton's forwards are a real mix of what playoff hockey is all about. They're fast, mean, physical, and fairly skilled, and are committed to playing a full sixty minutes every night. They don't make many mistakes, they are the picture of keeping it simple, and they are absolutely lethal on faceoffs. They'll look to wear Carolina out with a hard-hitting forecheck and then get pucks to the net for deflections or jam plays, so Cam Ward can expect to get well-acquainted with the number 94, because it will be in his face for this entire series.

While it's hard to go against guys like Smyth and Horcoff, it's easier when you look at the host of talent on the Canes' roster. I don't think Carolina is faster, but they are definitely more skilled and probably better overall in the two-way sense. I know what to expect from both clubs up front, and I think it's a great matchup for Edmonton, but I also think that Carolina has the edge by a small margin.
Advantage: Carolina Hurricanes

Powerplay
Carolina's powerplay is not as good as the numbers suggest. They scored five powerplay goals on Jersey in the second round, which inflated their numbers grossly, and have since been more or less anemic on the powerplay. For my money, this is where the forwards' tendency to get too cute has hurt them, as they have fallen in the trap of "one too many passes" on more than one occasion in the postseason. With that said, there is more talent among the five guys the Hurricanes can ice than most teams have on a full roster, so don't let it shock you if they really get rocking out of nowhere in this series.

Edmonton is essentially the exact opposite of Carolina on the powerplay. They have been consistently pounding pucks on goal and maintaining extensive possession during most man advantages. They went on a run in which seven of eight games included an Oilers' PP goal, and are looking to carry that over to the Final. Much like other aspects of their game, they keep it simple with shots from Pronger, Bergeron, or Stoll and look for deflections and rebounds, which is basically what they'll continue to do until the Cup is decided.

To me, this is another close call, and as much as I like Edmonton's simplicity, it still scares me how quickly Carolina can explode with all that talent. It comes down to whether you favour consistency over explosiveness or vice versa, and for me I think I'm going to have to take explosiveness.
Advantage: Carolina Hurricanes

Penalty Killing
Carolina has very good penalty killing with Kevyn Adams, Rod Brind'Amour, and Justin Williams, and those defense-first blueliners they have add nothing but positives. They're good on faceoffs, they make fast, smart decisions with the puck, and they know how to grind it out. Cam Ward is back there for any lapses, which are not exactly frequent as it is.

The Oilers, however, are superhuman on the penalty kill. They will block shots with their faces if that's what it takes to kill a penalty, and on many occasions they have done exactly that. They do a good job of clearing lanes of vision for Roloson to see shots from the point, and every team that has faced Edmonton so far has had problems breaking down the Oilers' box because it is so mobile and so well-adjusted to every powerplay look they see. Led by Mike Peca and Shawn Horcoff, there is a real threat of shorthanded scoring chances because of the ability to read plays and adjust, which makes the Edmonton PK a tough nut to crack.

Long story short, Edmonton has a big advantage here. I have a lot of respect for Carolina's grinders and how they kill penalties, but the Oilers were born for this stuff and that gives them a sizeable advantage in this area of the game.
Advantage: Edmonton Oilers

Coaching
Carolina is a well-coached hockey club, especially for the type of talent they have and the way the NHL is operating nowadays. Peter Laviolette has his club firing on all cylinders, playing an up-tempo style that is filled with calculated risks and end to end action, and he's respected by people league-wide for his accomplishments this season. He's a player's coach, and shows emotion on the bench to match what his boys are feeling, which is nice to see. Expect him to have the Canes well prepared.

On the other bench, Craig MacTavish is doing exactly what Laviolette is, just with more of a defensive conscience. He preaches puck movement and speed, but also dump-ins and shot blocking - things that made him a great NHLer. The players love him and he's become a media darling for his tendency to say what he's thinking on anything and everything related to his hockey club. He runs his bench intelligently and knows what it takes to win the big one from his time as a player, so you can expect his boys to also be quite ready to go.

Despite the fact that some people may try and sell it that coaching doesn't make a difference when the stakes are this high, nothing could be further from the truth. The wrong matchup or a misread video during a session can lead to a total debacle, as can a coach who cannot properly motivate his players. So, although Peter Laviolette is a great coach (especially in this brave new world of wide open hockey) and may well win himself a Jack Adams award within the next month, I think the edge has to go to Craig MacTavish. He's been there before, he knows what it takes to win, and he's a smart coach. In a Stanley Cup Final, his words of wisdom aren't hollow nonsense or hot air, they're truth because he's done it before. He won't oversell his own experience to his players, and he won't make a show of them if they aren't adequately contributing, but he'll coach the way one needs to if they want their name on the Cup, and to me that's a major advantage.
Advantage: Edmonton Oilers

The Conn Smythe Winner
If it's Carolina that ends up with the Stanley Cup at the end of this series, it's a two horse race with a distant third man in the mix. As good as Eric Staal has been, I think he's going to come in second, and I think Cory Stillman is a guy with an outside shot due to his penchant for scoring big goals. However, to me, I don't see how you could vote against Rod Brind'Amour. He's been the heart and soul of the team, scoring big goals, winning big faceoffs, and making all the smart veteran plays that a captain should at this time of year. When the stakes are this high, a team needs a guy like Brind'Amour more than anything else, and he's deserving of the Conn Smythe should it end up in the hands of a Hurricane.

If the Cup goes to the Oilers, I think it's a similar situation as far as the race for the Smythe goes - a two horse race with a distant third. That distant third, to me, is Ryan Smyth, who has embodied playoff hockey during this run and has been a true leader for the Oil all the way. When the race tightens to those two horses, however, I think it will be Chris Pronger who edges out goalie Dwayne Roloson for the award. As fabulous as Roloson has been, Pronger is averaging over thirty minutes a game and is playing at a pace of nearly a point per game, which is incredible for a defenseman. He plays in all situations, and plays well, never getting ruffled despite being a major target of forecheckers and always making the smartest play that's available to him. I love what Roli has given the Oilers in these playoffs, but for me I like what Pronger has given them just a tiny bit more.
My Picks: Rod Brind'Amour (CAR)/Chris Pronger (EDM)

The 2006-07 Stanley Cup Champion
So with all of this considered, the only question that remains is who is to be this year's Stanley Cup Champion? This is it in a summary:

Carolina is a fast, skilled team that has solid goaltending and alright special teams. They aren't physical at all, but they are heady enough to stay out of trouble and will produce enough offensive opportunities to stay in any game they play, thanks to their all-out approach.

The Oilers are every bit as fast as the Hurricanes, they have a goaltending advantage, and better penalty-killing (the powerplay is pretty close, too). They'll keep it simple, and they will absolutely beat Carolina into the ice physically, while playing their own brand of intelligent, safe hockey.

To me, when these two teams meet, it's going to result in the Edmonton Oilers winning their first Stanley Cup since 1990. As good as Carolina are, Edmonton has been slaying Goliath all spring, simply a different incarnation every couple of weeks. I think Edmonton can hang with Carolina in every area that the Canes excel in, and I don't think the same is true in reverse. Edmonton can play a skating and skill game, but I'm not sold that Carolina can play a physically demanding, mucky style of game. I'm of the mind that we're fixing to see a real beauty of a series here, most likely a six- or seven-gamer, but if Edmonton had this clinched by the fifth game I would not be surprised in the least.
Prediction: Edmonton wins series 4-2

So that's it for my massive Stanley Cup blowout. It took me a long time to consider the major points of a series and weigh out who had the advantages where, but after all the consideration I'm confident in my assessment of how this one breaks down. To any who are wondering, the clock is now ticking on my last blog entry for a while, I'm looking at two more entries and then finishing up for the summer. So suck it in now while it's new, because once the Final is over I'm on summer vacation! Thanks for reading folks, I'll be back with fresh post next Friday.

The Opinion Blog of Matthew Ryder

Rebuilding the Toronto Maple Leafs

I've stayed away from writing on the Leafs since coming on-board here at nhltraderumours.com, mostly because the idea appealed to me far less than jamming my shoeless foot into a highly active hornet's nest and seeing what would happen. Now, unlike most members of the media, who will not admit that they root for the Leafs despite the fact it is brazen in their coverage and the attention they give the Buds, I will openly state that the Toronto Maple Leafs are my favorite hockey club. They were my favorite team long before I got into this business, and they'll be my favorite long after I'm done.

With that considered, it should also be considered that I am not a jaded Leafs fan who's lost all faith. I'm wavering, but I don't think all is lost after one year without a playoff appearance. However I'm also not a dummy who thinks that we're only one step away from the Cup - I know there is work to be done...a lot of work. So this week I have decided to outline some of the key offseason targets Toronto should have in order to get the franchise back on track. I'm not saying that these will actually happen, I'm more giving my opinion on guys that should be given some serious thought. So below I've put together one full line of subtractions, and one full line of additions, as well as what my perfect Leaf line combos would look like at the start of 2006-07.

Subtractions in Leaf Land
Ed Belfour, G - I don't know if it's official or not that 'The Eagle' is toast in TO, but he sure should be after the season he posted. Given his awful record against the Sens alone, he single-handedly put the Leafs out of the playoffs. Instead of being the guy to get them through as he's been in the past, he was the weakest link on a pretty rusty chain. The phrase 'over the hill' jumps to mind, so he may as well be over someone else's hill as be over the Leafs' hill.

Alex Khavanov, D - There has been no word on his status with Toronto, but the fragile Russian defender has got to go. He was being paid $1.25m this season, and spent most of the year fighting off injuries more proned to happen to teenage female gymnasts than NHL defensemen. He was a 'JFJ-loves-the-St. Louis-organization' acquisition, but the thing Fergie forgot was that the worst team in the league didn't want Khavanov because he was frail and couldn't handle big minutes. For $600K it would've been a decent signing, but it flat out wasn't for the money actually paid. Pack your bags Khav, best of luck latching on in the Russian Superleague.

Wade Belak, D - As much as any Leaf fan out there, I'll always have a soft spot for Wade. He was one of the most hilarious goons hockey has ever seen, but he has no place in the NHL anymore. He's slow, he has no hockey smarts, and owns no offensive or defensive game to speak of, and it's time to let him fly the coop.

Nik Antropov, F - He's an RFA, and he is one of the biggest busts in the history of the NHL. He's always hurt, and when he does play he's an absolutely atrocious excuse for a hockey player, lacking speed, skill, and general flair to his game. He's an okay defensive forward, but would benefit greatly from an improved skating stride, which will never happen, so the Leafs might as well cut him loose now while they can do it without hassle.

Tie Domi, F - Tie Domi is the absolute worst player in the NHL. I actually mean that. When you consider everything about his game, he is the worst player in the league. He's a fighter that doesn't fight, a hitter that can't hit, and he thinks he's Mario Lemieux despite the fact he couldn't put a puck in the ocean if he was standing on the wharf. He's washed up, and he's being paid a healthy chunk of money to be washed up in Toronto. I say JFJ tells him he's going to be bought out, but he has the option of "retiring" as a Leaf via a press conference, then the buyout can happen behind the scenes so he's not embarrassed. That way Tie gets to retire as a Leaf, Toronto rids themselves of deadweight, and no one comes out looking like a loser. Or just buy him out outright, I don't care. He sucks anyway.

Jason Allison, F - This is a done deal, but I put it in here anyway. Allison had a good year for the Leafs, regardless of what people say. He can still maintain a high level of play, which he proved this year, and he seems to have bumped the injury bug for the most part. That said, his defensive deficiencies are obvious, and he might actually lose a race to that dog-goalie in the Home Depot commercials, so it might be best to leave him for another team to take a stab at (I could see him in Atlanta when Savard goes, personally).

Additions in Leaf Land
Martin Gerber, G, CAR - It's a known fact that JFJ is high on Gerber, in fact it was Ferguson who was the final bidder to be beat out by Carolina in the Gerber sweepstakes before this season. After a shaky playoff, Gerber's stock has gone down and he will come much cheaper than he would have before the 2006 postseason. It should be kept in mind however, that Gerber had a flu for the entire week leading up to the series against Montreal that caused him to lose over ten pounds, and he's looked solid in his relief appearances of Cam Ward since the first round. He was also lights-out in the Olympics, and I think Toronto has to be the team to land this guy if they want to improve next season.

Ruslan Salei, D, ANA - This guy is a hidden gem in the NHL. He's a down-and-dirty defenseman who can mix and muck with the best of them, and makes a good first pass. He hits as hard as any defender out there, and is a very good positional player as well. For money in the range of $1.5m a season, this guy would be a major player for Toronto in the #4 slot on the defensive depth chart.

Danny Markov, D, NSH - One of the worst things Pat Quinn ever did was ship off Danny Markov. He's an absolute warrior who will give his life, body, and soul to the team he's playing for. He's a great shot blocker, and has a defensive conscience that few players in the NHL possess. Another good hitter, he's a gifted skater as well and is another guy who makes a good first pass. I think the Leafs would be out of their collective minds to let this guy go anywhere but the ACC to start 2006-07, but I guess it also depends on whether or not he fancies a return to TO.

Dan Hinote, F, COL - Another UFA who would bring a sandpaper element to Toronto, Hinote is a great character player to have on a team. He's a great skater, a great penalty-killer, and would replace Tie Domi with someone who could actually play hockey. I think Dan Hinote would be a prime candidate to jump into the lineup and play a solid role as a grinder, which would likely justify moving Darcy Tucker up to play on the second line. He'll come cheap, and he's the type of guy that wins you a championship, so get him inked up.

Derek Armstrong, F, LA - Armstrong is a good centreman that gets overlooked by a lot of people in hockey. He had a breakout year in 2005-06, posting 41 points in 62 games, and he has a defensive conscience up front as well. He's a bit of a grinder, but he's actually solid with the puck and skates better than he's credited for. As nice as it would be to see Toronto get Marc Savard to play on the second line, I think if cost efficiency is what you're seeking Armstrong is a poor man's Savard who can make a few things happen with the right linemates.

Patrik Elias, F, NJ - I'm fully aware that Elias would not come cheap, but Toronto needs to go big or go home during the summer. There are some solid hockey players out there, all in the primes of their careers, and if it's big money they want it's going to have to be big money you spend. As much as people think overpaying for free agents is the end of the world, the reality is that it is not, because if you don't pay it someone else will. Elias is the winger Mats Sundin desperately needs, and if you brought him on board I think it would make that top line a legitimately scary thing to behold for opposing teams. However he'll be the most sought-after winger in the market this summer, so Toronto could have some competition if they target him.

I should also note that I feel it is paramount for the Leafs to re-sign Bryan McCabe, and it's also worth their while to keep Eric Lindros under contract for another year. Both made major contributions (Lindros when healthy) to what success Toronto had this season, and to let them go would be foolish. For my 2006-07 Leafs lines, both are assumed to be under contract for next season, as are all Group II free agents (except Antropov).

Your 2006-07 Toronto Maple Leafs
(LW-C-RW)
Scoring Line
26 Elias - 13 Sundin - 19 Williams
Two-way Line
16 Tucker - 7 Armstrong - 10 Steen
Checking Line
18 Kilger - 88 Lindros - 23 Ponikarovsky
Energy Line
17 Hinote - 14 Stajan - 92 O'Neill

Defense
15 Kaberle - 55 Markov
24 McCabe - 25 Salei
22 Richardson - 37 White

Goal
29 Gerber
30 Aubin
32 Tellqvist

So that's it for me this week. I've said everything I need to about how I would try to put together the Leafs come the fall. In closing, I think Jeremy Williams is NHL-ready, but only if he's used as a major offensive contributor, which is why he's on the top line. Ian White is also a lock to play in the show next year, and he looked good with Luke Richardson (who I think Toronto should and will re-sign), so why break up a good thing?

I'm sure there's lots to be said about this, so don't be shy. I'll be checking this a fair bit this week because I'm interested to see what people think. For now, however, I'll be back again with my Stanley Cup pick next week. Thanks for reading.

The Opinion Blog of Matthew Ryder

The Conference Finals

With the Conference Finals on tap to start this weekend, I've gone ahead and picked the two teams that I believe will be facing one another for the Stanley Cup. My record was a dismal 1-3 in round two, mostly due to the collapse of the Sens and the explosion of the Edmonton Oilers (which are good problems to have, frankly). That puts my overall playoff prediction record at 5-7, so I suppose time will tell how these predictions turn out.

Eastern Conference Final

(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (4) Buffalo Sabres
For the true hockey fan, this series is the one they wanted to see in the East. The two most balanced, talented teams in the conference, both with a great mix of youth, speed, skill, and goaltending, and now they'll meet for the right to contest the best in the West for Lord Stanley's cherished mug.

Carolina has proven to be for real, particularly upon the insertion of Cam Ward in the starter's role between the pipes. They're getting scoring leadership from youth in guys like Eric Staal and Justin Williams, and playoff leadership from the veterans like Cory Stillman and ironman Rod Brind'Amour, and are looking more like a championship team with every period on the ice. The defense has been incredibly solid, particularly considering that it was their Achilles' Heel for much of the year, led by cult hero Mike Commodore, who is quickly becoming a playoff stalwart for the ages.

Their opponents, hailing from Buffalo, are the biggest surprise that should no longer be a surprise in the history of the NHL. They are very fast and have better balance than any team left in the playoffs. Their checkers double as scorers, their scorers double as checkers, and their defense is the definition of "by-committee," as Jay McKee is the biggest name back there. They, too, are riding a young goaltender in Ryan Miller, who has shown poise and composure well beyond his years, and seem to be quite prepared to shock the world and hoist the Stanley Cup.

The winner of this series is almost impossible to determine, but in my own mind it boils down to who stops scoring first. Balance is the name of the game for both teams, but one team is going to prove more balanced than the other, and it will be Buffalo for my money. They have four lines that can score, but none of those lines neglect their own end, and they seem to know how to shut down big scorers (see: Ottawa Senators, May 2006). Also consider that Ryan Miller seems to be a bit further ahead of Cam Ward between the pipes, and I have to figure the Sabres will be back in the Final for the first time since 1999.
Prediction: Buffalo wins series 4-2

Western Conference Final

(6) Anaheim Mighty Ducks vs. (8) Edmonton Oilers
I suspect that this series will be the reason that workplaces across the Eastern timezone will see a horrible drop in productivity over the next two weeks or so. Two tough, fast teams that are young and hungry, and have fought their way through to the Conference Final, now fixing to provide some of the most entertaining hockey of the playoffs.

The Ducks have been laying in wait, watching as the surprising Oilers beat the Sharks to pieces. They first beat the imposing Flames, then absolutely shelled the pathetic Avs, and are now looking to add a second notch to their belt of elminated teams from Alberta. They have proven to be gritty and speedy, and have been getting goaltending that far surpasses anything that other teams have gotten in this postseason. Their defense has been out of this world, and their young forwards are playing like guys who have been in the league for ten years - particularly the combination of Joffrey Lupul and Dustin Penner, who have been incredible for the Ducks so far. They'll look to beat the Oilers into submission with a hard forecheck, responsible defense, and balance that will see goals come from everywhere.

As for the Oilers, they are coming off of a series that was very physically demanding...for their opponents. Edmonton has carved out a niche of doing all the small things perfectly, and then letting the bigger things like goals and saves come how they will. They have leadership coming out of their ears, with guys like Ryan Smyth, Chris Pronger, Jason Smith, Steve Staios, and Mike Peca all playing the huge roles a young team needs from veterans come playoff time. They've had excellent special teams, and Dwayne Roloson is playing the best hockey of his career, so Edmonton has no intention of going home after coming this far.

For me, this will be the best series of the playoffs. As they say when the Yankees and Red Sox meet in an ALCS, "this is the real World Series". This series is the real Stanley Cup Final. It will be as fast as Buffalo/Carolina, with much better defense and far more physicality. Unforunately, whoever comes out of this one might not have enough left to overcome the East champions, but they'll have to burn that bridge when they get there. As with the East, it's almost impossible to pick a winner here, as the two teams are carbon-copies of each other, but I'll give the edge to Edmonton because they should steal one early on the road due to the Ducks' long layoff, and it's not going to be easy for Anaheim to go steal one back in Oil Country.
Prediction: Edmonton wins series 4-3

Thanks for reading, I'll be back again in a week's time.

The Opinion Blog of Matthew Ryder

An Open Letter to Dominik Hasek

Dear "Dom",

I think I speak for everyone when I say that I'm tired of your over-the-top, attention-seeking foolishness. For years now, you have been playing the greatest game in the world and being paid handsomely to do so, but it has never proven to be enough. Aside from the potential to win the greatest trophy in sport every year (and successfully achieving the goal in 2002), and the millions of dollars you're paid to play, you demand to be the focal point of your club at all times - be it for the right or wrong reasons.

Everyone - Ottawa fans or otherwise - is tired of the "will-he-play?" chess game going on regarding your career, first in 2002 when you 'retired' (or bailed on Detroit, depending how one views it), and now in 2006 with your latest fluke injury. It's to the point where people don't even know what it is that you've "injured" - is it the adductor or the abductor? I think it's a muscle you found on WebMD and thought you could milk for an injury, but I guess I'm not a doctor...not that it particularly matters, as you seem to know more than doctors or coaches or anyone else about what pain tolerance truly is.

The fact of the matter is that you were one of the best goalies of all time. I hate to admit it, but you were. However in that same breath, you are the worst teammate of all time. You're a spotlight-hogging, selfish, groin-pulling geezer, and it's time for you to stop your crap. Either go play a game and make a difference, or stay away from the team and let Ray Emery do his job. Emery is the future of this franchise, he's doing the best job anyone could ask of him given his circumstances, and should the Ottawa Senators ever win a Stanley Cup it will be with him between the pipes - long after the name Hasek has left the back of a Sens jersey.

Apparently you were the guy to put Ottawa over the top and hand them the Stanley Cup, but in actuality it looks more and more like you're the guy who's going to cost John Muckler his job - again, not that I care, as I hate John Muckler too, but it's a nice way to treat your greatest friend and ally in the organization (probably the league). And make no mistake, you have few allies in the NHL - the only positives to come about you at this point are from real teammates who are actually good and tow the company line by saying the right things to the media at all times. When it comes to 'mates that were alienated in the past, comments focus strictly on on-ice performance and ability, which screams out that you are locker room cancer.

In concluding my letter to you, Dom, I would like to say that when Bryan Murray served you dinner by saying 'get off the ice, practice is for the goalies who might actually play', he made an friend for life right here. You are the most self-absorbed, sorry excuse for a hockey player I have ever seen in my life, and when I think that guys like Bobby Baun scored Stanley Cup winning goals on broken legs for the salary a part-timer hauls down at Subway in 2006, and you can't play because your fake muscle won't let you, I actually get physically ill.

Sincerely,

Matthew Ryder

PS: I hope you don't get a contract at the end of this season, and retirement finds you diving for tourist pennies in a Micronesian swamp.

The Opinion Blog of Matthew Ryder

The Second Round

With round two of the NHL Playoffs on tap to start tonight, I've decided to make my predictions of who'll be getting out alive, why they'll be doing so, and how many games it's going to take. I was 4-4 in round one, and I called two of the series right to the number of games (Carolina and San Jose), so let's see if I can improve that record a bit the second time around.

Eastern Conference

(1) Ottawa Senators vs. (4) Buffalo Sabres

For those who are in love with the New NHL, this series should stand to be a dream come true. Two fast, skilled teams who can put goals up in a hurry collide for a berth in the conference finals.

Buffalo suprised myself and many others with their thorough dismantling of Philadelphia. They showed to be very solid up and down their lineup, and did not have any visible flaws aside from problems with Peter Forsberg. Ottawa really did not surprise anyone however, as their mix of blistering speed, unmatched depth, and blueline talent made a mockery of the defending champs.

So who takes it when these two battle? Ottawa, plain and simple. They have the edge everywhere, with the possible exception of goal, where a Dominik Hasek controversy is quietly brewing and Ray Emery (while being very talented) is not yet at the same level as Ryan Miller.

People may argue that the Sabres can match Ottawa's scoring, but the fact is that they cannot, and even if they could they would still have to defend against the Sens' attack, which, again, they cannot. On the other side of the ice, Ottawa can easily defend against the Sabres' scoring, as they have talented, mobile defensemen up the wazoo - a major reason Philly didn't come out on top against Buffalo in round one.

Expect an entertaining series overall, and one that could stand as one of the better-coached playoff matchups in a while, but also expect Ottawa to beat down Buffalo and march on to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Prediction: Ottawa wins series 4-1

(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils

This series should provide people with an interesting matchup to say the least. The skilled Hurricanes, with rookie playoff sensation Cam Ward between the wickets, against the longtime beasts of the East from New Jersey, with playoff Superman Martin Brodeur protecting the mesh. That edge probably goes to the Devils, but the rest of the matchup is harder to decide.

Carolina has more balance in their lines, that point is inarguable. However New Jersey holds the cards when it comes to having the better single line, as Elias-Gomez-Gionta is one of the best lines in hockey right now. Both sides have veteran talent and young guns up front, and both have defense corps that are rich in playoff experience, making the backend a wash.

What it comes down to is whether or not the high-flying Canes can have enough defensive sensibility to hold off the EGG line and pick their spots offensively - not to mention the question of whether or not the unproven talents such as Ward and Eric Staal will hold up in the second round against a much stronger opponent.

Given the struggles Carolina had in round one, and the lack of defensive effort everyone outside of Rod Brind'Amour showed, I don't see them making it out of the conference semis. Throw in the Devils' current unbeaten streak and the fact that playoff success is old hat for Jersey, and it quickly becomes their series to lose.

Prediction: New Jersey wins series 4-2

Western Conference

(5) San Jose Sharks vs. (8) Edmonton Oilers

The Sharks are a better team than a five-seed, and would have been higher if not for their dismal start. Edmonton is also of a higher quality than their seed, so the series should provide a real barn burner.

After ousting Detroit, the Oilers proved that they can beat anyone. They played much smarter hockey than they had in recent seasons, and abondoned the approach of firewagon offense for a more playoff-style gameplan. To cement the fact, the charge was led by goaltending and defense - something that could rarely be said in the land of the Oil in past years. Dwayne Roloson is as hot as any player in the NHL right now, and Chris Pronger is showing that he is still a big game defenseman with solid efforts on a nightly basis. Considering that, while it hasn't been at the forefront, scoring hasn't been a problem for guys like Fernando Pisani and Ales Hemsky, the Oilers should be ready to cook up some Shark meat.

However San Jose has a different plan. While they aren't as offensively diverse as Detroit, they have the best one-two combo in the NHL this season with Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo, and their second-line centre (and captain) Patrick Marleau netted seven goals in the Sharks' first five playoff games this year. They have a very good and very underrated defense, and one of the best goalies no ones knows about in Vesa Toskala, plus they are absolutely white-hot coming into the series. They can do it all, and as far as playoffs go, I'd venture that they are a more well-rounded and consistent roster than Detroit was when one considers all aspects of the game.

As much as Canadians want it to happen, and as primed as the Oilers are to pull off another big upset and become this year's Cinderella story, I don't see it happening. The Sharks are a remarkable hockey club and they're built to go deep in the postseason, something that they will accomplish at Edmonton's expense.

Prediction: San Jose wins series 4-3

(6) Anaheim Mighty Ducks vs. (7) Colorado Avalanche

This series is going to be the battle of opposing first round paths. Colorado had an easy time of it with Dallas, while Anaheim fought hard to oust the Flames in seven games, and now the two meet in the conference semis.

To begin, Colorado only won so much as Dallas lost in the first round. The Stars dropped the ball bigtime, as Dave Tippett couldn't alter his team's strategy enough to combat the Avs, and Marty Turco struggled to the point that his name has become serious trade bait since. Colorado's D wasn't particularly solid, and Jose Theodore looked atrocious, but their forwards took advantage of Turco's troubles and the end result was a solid victory.

Anaheim, on the other hand, managed to defeat a Flames' team that came to play and were favoured by almost everyone in hockey. Their defense looked exceptional, particularly the pairing of Niedermayer and Beauchemin, their forwards got better with every game, and they have two goalies who are number-one calibre and ready to go at a moment's notice. Anaheim outright beat their first round opponent, which is a claim Colorado cannot make so boldly.

Therefore, conventional wisdom says the Ducks down the Avalanche, and while conventional wisdom has been shot down repeatedly so far this postseason, this time it will hold up.

Prediction: Anaheim wins series 4-2

That's it for me this week. The post was late due to some formatting troubles on my end, so I apologize to those who like to sneak in a read during working hours (at least out East). Thanks for reading, I'll be back next Friday.

The Opinion Blog of Matthew Ryder