DALLAS -- Sometimes an injury can be a blessing in disguise. That was definitely the case for Dallas captain Brenden Morrow, who returned to the ice for the current Pacific Division-leading Stars (19-12-1, 39 points) six games ago and has 7 points since coming back.
Morrow had missed six games with a back injury suffered in a Nov. 21 victory over Edmonton, a game where he was limited to just 11:49 of ice time. But through his first 20 games, he was struggling and his numbers (3 goals, 9 points) illustrated that.
After sitting out the next six, the longest-tenured Star made his return on Nov. 8 at San Jose as Dallas set out on a five-game road trip. He had a goal and an assist in a losing effort that night as the Stars fell to the Sharks, but the return of Morrow, along with defensemen Trevor Daley and Alex Goligoski, helped spark the Stars to take six of a possible 10 points on the trip and to a 5-3 win over Anaheim on Monday in Dallas.
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Player Profiles
(Page 11 of 22)
Player Profiles
Morrow has hit full stride since return
Wednesday, 12.21.2011 / 10:56 AM / Player Profiles
Steve Hunt - NHL.com Correspondent
Knuble persevered to reach 1,000-game mark
Tuesday, 12.20.2011 / 10:34 AM / Player Profiles
Ben Raby - NHL.com Correspondent
WASHINGTON -- Like most NHL players, Capitals forward Mike Knuble has a collection of memories from his NHL debut -- the opponent, his linemates and the final score to list a few. Compared to most though, Knuble's first career NHL game included a few more colorful details.
"My very first game was Detroit against Colorado," Knuble recalled last week. "Goalies were fighting and there was a huge brawl and I'm thinking ‘I thought I just left the American [Hockey] League.' It was just bonkers."
The March 26, 1997 meeting between the Red Wings and Avalanche -- at the peak of their late '90s rivalry -- featured nine fights, including a bout between goalies Patrick Roy and Mike Vernon.
"My very first game was Detroit against Colorado," Knuble recalled last week. "Goalies were fighting and there was a huge brawl and I'm thinking ‘I thought I just left the American [Hockey] League.' It was just bonkers."
The March 26, 1997 meeting between the Red Wings and Avalanche -- at the peak of their late '90s rivalry -- featured nine fights, including a bout between goalies Patrick Roy and Mike Vernon.
Matt Hackett's emergence no surprise to NHL uncle
Friday, 12.09.2011 / 3:11 PM / Player Profiles
Curtis Zupke - NHL.com Correspondent
LOS ANGELES -- Those that didn't know any better probably would have guessed that Matt Hackett was running on pure adrenaline.
As so often happens when one finally steps on NHL ice, the blood flows and the brain buzzes with the excitement of living out a lifelong dream.
That appears to be evident with Hackett, who made his NHL debut and first start within 72 hours this week for the Minnesota Wild.
He saw the puck well. He anticipated plays. His glove hand was quick. In other words, he looked like he had been there before.
As so often happens when one finally steps on NHL ice, the blood flows and the brain buzzes with the excitement of living out a lifelong dream.
That appears to be evident with Hackett, who made his NHL debut and first start within 72 hours this week for the Minnesota Wild.
He saw the puck well. He anticipated plays. His glove hand was quick. In other words, he looked like he had been there before.
Del Zotto maturing into top-four defenseman role
Thursday, 12.08.2011 / 5:40 PM / Player Profiles
Dave Lozo - NHL.com Staff Writer
NEW YORK -- About nine months ago, Michael Del Zotto hit rock bottom.
The New York Rangers were in a chase for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. At the trade deadline, they decided they were better off acquiring veteran defenseman Bryan McCabe and sending the 20-year-old Del Zotto to the AHL for the rest of the season.
As if that wasn't enough of a punch to the stomach of the promising Del Zotto, he broke his finger in his first game with the Connecticut Whale.
Just like that, a nightmare of a second season was over.
The New York Rangers were in a chase for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. At the trade deadline, they decided they were better off acquiring veteran defenseman Bryan McCabe and sending the 20-year-old Del Zotto to the AHL for the rest of the season.
As if that wasn't enough of a punch to the stomach of the promising Del Zotto, he broke his finger in his first game with the Connecticut Whale.
Just like that, a nightmare of a second season was over.
Unlikely arrival has paid off for Nystrom, Stars
Thursday, 12.08.2011 / 8:51 AM / Player Profiles
Steve Hunt - NHL.com Correspondent
FRISCO, Texas -- On Oct. 11, Eric Nystrom was playing for the Houston Aeros, the AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild. The son of former New York Islanders standout Bob Nystrom had been sent to the minors after he was unable to secure a roster spot with the Wild to start the season.
Two days earlier, he had skated in the Aeros' season opener against the Chicago Wolves, finishing at minus-1 with one shot. But three days later, he was headed back to the NHL after Dallas made a trade with Minnesota to bring the 28-year-old forward to the Stars.
Two days earlier, he had skated in the Aeros' season opener against the Chicago Wolves, finishing at minus-1 with one shot. But three days later, he was headed back to the NHL after Dallas made a trade with Minnesota to bring the 28-year-old forward to the Stars.
Crawford trying to find last season's consistency
Friday, 12.02.2011 / 3:56 PM / Player Profiles
Brian Hedger - NHL.com Correspondent
CHICAGO -- Corey Crawford is searching for the rock-solid consistency in net that defined his rookie season, and the Chicago Blackhawks hope he finds it soon.
After earning a contract extension last summer with a superb 2010-11 campaign, Crawford now finds himself with higher numbers than he'd like heading into Friday night's game at the United Center against the New York Islanders (8:30 p.m., CSN-Chicago, MSG Plus).
Crawford has an inflated 2.86 goals-against average and surprisingly-low .898 save percentage through 21 games. He's also allowed four or more goals six times, including three of the last six games and two of the last three -- a 4-1 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday being the latest.
After earning a contract extension last summer with a superb 2010-11 campaign, Crawford now finds himself with higher numbers than he'd like heading into Friday night's game at the United Center against the New York Islanders (8:30 p.m., CSN-Chicago, MSG Plus).
Crawford has an inflated 2.86 goals-against average and surprisingly-low .898 save percentage through 21 games. He's also allowed four or more goals six times, including three of the last six games and two of the last three -- a 4-1 loss to the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday being the latest.
New deal makes Hedman Lightning 'D' foundation
Thursday, 12.01.2011 / 12:37 PM / Player Profiles
Brian Hedger - NHL.com Correspondent
"He's a horse. He's a Chara-type player that's going to bring you some offense, but he brings you a lot more things. The focus of his game can't be run-and-gun and carry the puck on the blue line … that's not him." -- Guy Boucher
It likely won't happen anytime soon, Boucher said, even though there is some untapped offensive potential in the 6-foot-6, 229-pound Hedman's game.
That eventually will emerge as Hedman matures, but the biggest reason the Lightning signed Hedman to a lucrative five-year contract extension Wednesday -- reportedly worth $4 million a season -- is because they're bullish on his all-round potential.
Quenneville, stats suggest Toews is better than ever
Tuesday, 11.29.2011 / 3:31 PM / Player Profiles
Brian Hedger - NHL.com Correspondent
CHICAGO -- It might not seem possible, but Jonathan Toews is getting even better.
At least, that's what Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said about his 23-year old captain and first-line center. It seems that Toews isn't satisfied with the Stanley Cup title he helped bring to the Windy City in 2010, nor the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the playoffs that came along with it.
He wants to do a lot more and it's the team-oriented goals that motivate him most -- despite his current pace to have his best NHL season as an individual. Heading into Tuesday night's game against the Phoenix Coyotes at the United Center (7:30 p.m., FS-A, CSN-CH), Toews is on pace for career highs in goals and points.
He's already found the back of the net 13 times in the first 24 games, assisted on 12 other goals and put up the game-winning goal in each of the past two games. He also has a team-high 18 points in 14 road games.
And those are just the stats that catch most people's eye, the goals and assists. Toews also leads the League in faceoff win percentage (65.1) and has an impact on virtually every area of the ice.
At least, that's what Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said about his 23-year old captain and first-line center. It seems that Toews isn't satisfied with the Stanley Cup title he helped bring to the Windy City in 2010, nor the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the playoffs that came along with it.
He wants to do a lot more and it's the team-oriented goals that motivate him most -- despite his current pace to have his best NHL season as an individual. Heading into Tuesday night's game against the Phoenix Coyotes at the United Center (7:30 p.m., FS-A, CSN-CH), Toews is on pace for career highs in goals and points.
He's already found the back of the net 13 times in the first 24 games, assisted on 12 other goals and put up the game-winning goal in each of the past two games. He also has a team-high 18 points in 14 road games.
And those are just the stats that catch most people's eye, the goals and assists. Toews also leads the League in faceoff win percentage (65.1) and has an impact on virtually every area of the ice.
Cooke, with just four penalties, is a changed player
Tuesday, 11.29.2011 / 1:31 PM / Player Profiles
Dave Lozo - NHL.com Staff Writer
Matt Cooke wanted to be a different player this season. Through 24 games, he's practically unrecognizable.
The 33-year-old left wing made a name for himself for all the wrong reasons during his first three seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was suspended four times for hits that have been described as borderline, questionable or downright dirty. An elbow to the head of Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh cost Cooke the final 10 games of the 2010-11 regular season and all seven of the Penguins' first-round Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Before that suspension was handed down by the League, Cooke knew that elbow to McDonagh's head was the end of the line.
The 33-year-old left wing made a name for himself for all the wrong reasons during his first three seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was suspended four times for hits that have been described as borderline, questionable or downright dirty. An elbow to the head of Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh cost Cooke the final 10 games of the 2010-11 regular season and all seven of the Penguins' first-round Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Before that suspension was handed down by the League, Cooke knew that elbow to McDonagh's head was the end of the line.
Vrbata had no interest in deserting the desert
Tuesday, 11.29.2011 / 10:35 AM / Player Profiles
Jerry Brown - NHL.com Correspondent
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- More than a few players have flown out of Phoenix at their first opportunity, even after making the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
And coming off a 19-goal season with a career-high 29 assists, right wing Radim Vrbata figured to be an attractive target when he hit unrestricted free agency this past July. But before that talk had a chance to get started, Vrbata took a curious path, telling everyone he didn't want to go anywhere.
Vrbata wanted to stay in Phoenix and was willing to take less than market value to make it happen.
"It's very rare to have a player publicly declare he wants to stay like that," said Coyotes general manager Don Maloney. "We really tried to get a good deal on him. Would we have liked to have paid less? Sure. But at the end of the day it wound up being a fair deal. There was another team right there in the running, but the fact he wanted to stay played in our favor."
Vrbata didn't exactly put his agent, Rich Evans, in the catbird's seat, but he got what he wanted -- a three-year deal averaging the same $3 million he made last season. And as happy as Vrbata is with the deal, the Coyotes might be smiling even wider.
"It's just very rare that you'll get someone who flat out says, 'I want to stay. I'll stay. I'll give you a discount to stay. Please sign me!' I was smiling, thinking we were going to get a smoking deal, but at the end of the day we got a fair deal. It wasn't a blue-light special or anything." -- Don Maloney
Vrbata wanted to stay in Phoenix and was willing to take less than market value to make it happen.
"It's very rare to have a player publicly declare he wants to stay like that," said Coyotes general manager Don Maloney. "We really tried to get a good deal on him. Would we have liked to have paid less? Sure. But at the end of the day it wound up being a fair deal. There was another team right there in the running, but the fact he wanted to stay played in our favor."
Vrbata didn't exactly put his agent, Rich Evans, in the catbird's seat, but he got what he wanted -- a three-year deal averaging the same $3 million he made last season. And as happy as Vrbata is with the deal, the Coyotes might be smiling even wider.
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