http://www.nhl.com/rss Feature Stories NHL Enterprises, L.P. (c) 2009 NHL. All Rights Reserved en_us Sun, 22 Nov 2009 23:36:30 EST http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=506761&cmpid=rss-wigge And then there was just one That's kind of how Pittsburgh's Mark Eaton must have felt Nov. 16 when he was the lone defenseman left from the Penguins Stanley Cup-winning team in a contest against one of the game's best lines -- Anaheim's Ry... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=506572&cmpid=rss-wigge The puck came flying high into the air. It appeared no one could find the high-flying rebound, until rookie Victor Oreskovich knocked the puck out of the air and drove to the net to score the game-tying goal for the Florida Panthers in the... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:23:00 EST http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=506341&cmpid=rss-wigge Singing the Blues St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts dropped into town Nov. 13 and held an impromptu press conference in which he lambasted his players for their 4-7-4 record after a promising two-win start against Detroit to start the s... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:00:00 EST http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=505982&cmpid=rss-wigge Caps OK without Ovi Exit superstar Alex Ovechkin, enter winger Tomas Fleischmann. The 25-year-old Fleischmann likely never will qualify for a Hart Trophy like Ovechkin or score 56 goals like Ovi did last season. But after recovering fro... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=505545&cmpid=rss-wigge Wings finding their roles Nine players on the Detroit Red Wings roster were not with the club at the start of last season. And even though Jonathan Ericsson, Darren Helm, Justin Abdelkader, Ville Leino and Jimmy Howard got minutes in Detro... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:37:00 EST http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=505048&cmpid=rss-wigge Tippett taking the season in stride It's vitally important to have a good communicator is as a coach -- especially in a bizarre situation like Phoenix, where, with the franchise ownership still up in the air, the Coyotes hired Dave Tippett... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=504548&cmpid=rss-wigge Brassard shouldering the load A year ago, Derick Brassard was the leading contender for Rookie of the Year with 10 goals and 15 assists in 31 games, when he dislocated his right shoulder in December and was lost for the season for the Colu... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=504480&cmpid=rss-wigge "The story of this season has been the play of Craig Anderson and Ilya Bryzgalov in goal in Colorado and Phoenix. Not many people gave either of those teams a chance before this season, but look at them now. Goaltending has clearly been t... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:33:00 EST http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=504061&cmpid=rss-wigge A good non-trade for Edmonton For most of the summer, forwards Dustin Penner and Andrew Cogliano and defenseman Ladislav Smid were kind of hanging out there, not knowing about their future after word leaked they were part of a trade for th... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=503603&cmpid=rss-wigge The pre-game tape St. Louis coach Andy Murray put together before the Blues' Oct. 22 game against the Minnesota Wild was pretty simple. It included one save after another by Blues goaltender Chris Mason from the previous game. The rub: ... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:00:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=503208&cmpid=rss-wigge The backup plan The Dallas Stars had plenty of injuries last season to derail their hopes of making the playoffs for a sixth straight season, but one of the key problems in "Big D" was how little confidence then-coach Dave Tippet... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=502754&cmpid=rss-wigge Last but not least There was a great Central Division story in the playoffs last spring, when young defenseman Jonathan Ericsson came up with Detroit and played a big role for the Red Wings. The oddity? Ericsson was the 291st and last play... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:00:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=502266&cmpid=rss-wigge Sticking to success Sidney Crosby's vow after losing in the Stanley Cup Final to Detroit two years ago was that he never again wanted to be standing on the ice watching the other team celebrate a Cup. He turned that thirst for success into... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=501996&cmpid=rss-wigge Chris Osgood vowed he wouldn't be in the wrong place again when the 2009-10 season rolled around. His mind would be right and his puck-stopping skills would more closely resemble his playoff form than they did for most of last season. A lot has... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:08:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=501635&cmpid=rss-wigge Craig Anderson could have a chip on his shoulder over never really being given an opportunity to be a No. 1 goaltender until now. Instead, he whimsically talks about the twists and turns in his life. "If I wasn't a goalie, I'd prob... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=500741&cmpid=rss-wigge Chemistry lesson for Heatley, Thornton DENVER -- When Dany Heatley's phone rang shortly after he was traded by the Ottawa Senators to the San Jose Sharks on Sept. 12, he wasn't surprised to hear Joe Thornton's voice. "Hey, ... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:10:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=499966&cmpid=rss-wigge Berglund worth the wait Blues coach Andy Murray talks long and hard about the good and not-so-good of waiting for a youngster like Berglund or David Perron or T.J. Oshie to develop. "I remember him two springs ago when I met Pa... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Sun, 27 Sep 2009 03:00:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=499964&cmpid=rss-wigge 2009-10 PREVIEW: BLUES Berglund coming of age Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Patrik Berglund's father was a strong player in Sweden back in the day, but as the 2009-10 season dawns, young Patrick is earning bragging rights for being the ... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Sun, 27 Sep 2009 03:00:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=499937&cmpid=rss-wigge Berglund worth the wait Blues coach Andy Murray talks long and hard about the good and not-so-good of waiting for a youngster like Berglund or David Perron or T.J. Oshie to develop. "I remember him two springs ago when I met Pa... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:26:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=498154&cmpid=rss-wigge TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- From unusual beginnings to NHL possibilities. There aren't many better stories here at the eight-team NHL prospects tournament this week than that of right wing Aaron Palushaj, who was picked in the second round ... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=498143&cmpid=rss-wigge TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Don Glennie's body English runs the gamut from pure joy to a sort of agony every time his son Scott drops his shoulder to make a move on a defenseman, kicks his skating into another gear or lays a hard lick on an op... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:50:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=497982&cmpid=rss-wigge "You can call me a third wheel, back seat, off the radar, I don't care. We had a great line and no one is going to tell me I didn't contribute a lot to it." -- Matt Calvert TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- By his own admission, Matt ... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:15:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=497901&cmpid=rss-wigge TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- He was 15 and walking through the locker room at a rink in Russia with a couple of teammates. His agent walked in, handed out a few Dallas Stars caps and said, "One day some of you guys might be wearing these c... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:48:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=497877&cmpid=rss-wigge TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Tom Brady? In a hockey story? I'll never forget hearing Niagara Icedogs coach Mario Ciccillo tell the Blues that they had just drafted Tom Brady after St. Louis selected defenseman Alex Pietrangelo with the fourt... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:56:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=497841&cmpid=rss-wigge TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- When you ask former Montreal Canadiens defenseman Guy Lapointe about a defensive prospect and his face lights up, you know you've touched on something special. In this case, it's Minnesota defenseman Tyler Cuma, ... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:55:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=497827&cmpid=rss-wigge TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Making an impact. Being noticed. That's the thought that Dan Marr, director of amateur scouting and player development for the Atlanta Thrashers, put into the minds of his team's prospects before they began the five-day... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:56:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=497825&cmpid=rss-wigge TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Cory Emmerton is one of those names that some fans around the NHL may not be familiar with. That should change soon enough. "He's a really competitive center who sees the ice a step ahead of the play. A natu... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:08:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=497655&cmpid=rss-wigge Significant dealing in the West? Let me count the ways. It's rare to see the No. 1-ranked team in a conference make a big deal with the No. 3-ranked team. But that's exactly what happened in late Auguest when the San Jose Sharks, who ha... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Sun, 06 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=480018&cmpid=rss-wigge 30 IN 30 SPOTLIGHT Five questions with JD Chris Pinkert - NHL.com Correspondent St. Louis Blues President, John Davidson, sits down for a quick Q&A session in which he talks about the Draft, free agency and the Blue's offseason activi... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:00:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=470002&cmpid=rss-wigge 30 IN 30 SPOTLIGHT: CANADIENS Nouveau look John McGourty - NHL.com Staff Writer After a disappointing season, GM Bob Gainey did some major shaking up of his Canadiens during the offseason. READ MORE › MORE 30 IN 30 STORIES &rsaquo... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Sun, 16 Aug 2009 03:00:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=442879&cmpid=rss-wigge Drafting for success Chicago success at the draft table from 2002-07 is turning into victories on the ice. Like their Central Division rivals in Detroit, the Hawks have found gems in more than just the first and second rounds, where headli... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=436843&cmpid=rss-wigge At the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal, the Blues picked Swedish defenseman David Rundblad in the first round and defenseman Brett Ponich in the second. Both were selected ahead of projections. But St. Louis management showed its faith in... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:08:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=436841&cmpid=rss-wigge "I used to have to call the prospects and ask them if they wanted to come to St. Louis so that we could show them how they could fast track their development into being an NHL player.  Now they are calling me to find out when they ca... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:56:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=436837&cmpid=rss-wigge T.J. Oshie bowled over Columbus power forward Rick Nash -- twice -- in a game late last season, and he has bowled over even more scouts who said he was too small and played against weak competition at Warroad High School before the St. Lou... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:23:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=436387&cmpid=rss-wigge "The part of my roster that makes the most sense to me is setting a value on our defense being strong both defensively and offensively." -- Brian Burke Call it Burke's Law. The 2009 Entry Draft was nearly complete and eve... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:31:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=433523&cmpid=rss-wigge Extreme makeover? Or did the Montreal Canadiens really improve themselves by adding three new forwards and two defensemen at the cost of letting their first-, third-, fifth- and seventh-leading scorers walk? This is a touchy situation, ... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:48:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=433487&cmpid=rss-wigge The 2009 NHL Entry Draft had just finished and Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi let out a big sigh of relief before answering questions about looking back after three years of drafting and trading to see what kind of progress he's made. ... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:34:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=433226&cmpid=rss-wigge It was a week ago Wednesday that I checked through Canadian customs at Pierre Trudeau Airport in Montreal and Fred, my customs agent, was more than a little talkative once he heard I work for NHL.com and I was in town to cover the 2009 Entry Draft... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:05:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=432142&cmpid=rss-wigge "I don't know if anyone could possibly be having a better offseason than me. I was ready for a great season before the accident. Now, I'm even more ready to show everyone who might doubt I can be even better than two years ago." --&... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EDT http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=432127&cmpid=rss-wigge MONTREAL -- All the King's horses and all the Kings men couldn't get the Los Angeles hockey fans any closer to winning a Stanley Cup than Wayne Gretzky and Co. did in 1993 when Patrick Roy and Marty McSorley's illegal stick did them in aga... Larry Wigge | NHL.com Columnist Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT