Chicago has very successful first fan convention

From Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune:

"When you're a player, you just want to be put in the best position to win, and it looks like Mr. [Dale] Tallon and Mr. [Rocky] Wirtz have done that so far," veteran forward Patrick Sharp said. "They've made some great moves this off-season, and ... this is the most excited everybody seems to be about [the team] in a long time."

The Blackhawks Convention drew a sellout crowd of about 8,000 to the Chicago Hilton for three days of autographs, seminars and a chance for fans to connect with players, coaches and members of the front office.

Read the entire story here.

Great idea by the Hawks to run an event like this. The fact is, the Hawks fans have every reason to be excited about the team's prospects for next season. This team reminds me a lot of the 2007/08 Pittsburgh Penguins.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. The NHL hopes to play an outdoor game at Yankee Stadium. Should be a good idea. They can even start prepping the ice in late September, as the Yankees won't need the field.
2. The Lightning have given Andre Roy a week off after his meltdown in Philadelphia.
3. Colorado College moves up to #2 in this week's college hockey rankings.
4. Dan Pollard says Marian Hossa was just being realistic when he asked to be traded from Atlanta. Note the bottom of the article where it says the Wild's Kim Jonsson switch hands to take a shot in a game.
5. Derek Meech has finally cracked the Red Wings' lineup.
6. The Chicago Wolves goaltending tandem gets a lot of credit for their success.
7. Patrick Sharp points to his trade from Philly to Chicago as the turning point in his career.
8. Pierre Lebrun thinks the Caps and Coyotes played themselves out of the playoff race this weekend.
9. The Hot or Not list from the CHL.
10. McGill and Laurier will meet for the Canadian university women's title.
11. Doug Armstrong is already thinking ahead to the World Championships.
12. Jeff Marek of CBC defends his love of fighting.
13. Watch Jordan Tootoo take a shot at Dierks Bentley.
14. Interesting piece on getting hockey into Louisville, Kentucky in order to enhance the NHL's image.
15. Al Strachan feels that Wayne Gretzky's scoring records are safe.
16. Rumour has it that Doug MacLean may be the new GM in Tampa.
17. Spector doesn't see a lot of quality netminders on the UFA market.
18. Mike Brophy is anticipating a big payday for Sean Avery this off-season.
19. A team by team list of the upcoming UFA's.
20. Mark Seidel updates us on the projected top 20 in this June's draft.
21. Video and commentary on the Cote-Roy fight.
22. Junior hockey is returning to Montreal.
23. Joe Pelletier lists his Top 5 hockey books of all time.
24. Larry Brooks writes that Sather rejected a Bernier for Avery proposal.
25. David Amber profiles the 10 best players under 6'.

Nightly Recap - Sabourin Picks up Relief Win

Pittsburgh 6 - Ottawa 5 - Dany Sabourin entered the game with the Pens down 2-0 and earns the relief win in a shootout. After playing in only 9 games last year backing up Roberto Luonogo, Sabourin has appeared in more games this year than all of last year. Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza had three points each for the Sens, Pittsburgh's Ryan Malone also collected three points.

Nashville 3 - Detroit 2 - Martin Erat was in on all three Predator goals, putting up a goal and two assists. Erat started off slow this season recording only 6 points in his first 11 games, but in his past 10 games, he has scored 14 points, including 5 multi-point nights. Chris Mason stopped 28 in the win.

Chicago 2 - Calgary 1 - Chicago scored both of their goals tonight on the penalty kill, it was Patrick Sharp's fifth shorthanded goal of the month (!) and Jacob Dowell put in the other in his NHL debut. Khabibulin stopped 30 saves in the win. The Flames are now 3-7-0 in their last 10.

Colorado 3 - Edmonton 2 - The Avalanche ended a four game road losing streak, receiving goals from Milan Heduk, Karlis Skrastins and Marek Svatos. Joni Pitkanen returned to the lineup tonight for the Oilers after missing 13 games with a knee.

Tomorrow's Games (all times Eastern)
12:00pm NYI@BOS,
1:00pm WSH@PHI
2:00pm CLB@MIN
4:00pm PHX@ANA
7:00pm TB@CGY
7:30pm MTL@BUF, NYR@FLA, NJ@ATL
8:30pm TOR@DAL, VAN@STL

Nightly Recap - Lookin' Sharp

Phoenix 1 - Los Angeles 0 - In Ilya Bryzgalov's Coytoes debut he showed why he should be a #1 goaltender making 28 saves to shut out the Kings. On the other end Jason LaBarbera held his own, stopping 37. Shane Doan scored the games lone goal.

Montreal 7 - Boston 4 - Carey Price is now 5-1-1 to begin his rookie campaign. Montreal had seven goals scored by seven players, and had six players with multiple point nights (Chipchura, Hamrlik, Koivu, Markov, Ryder, Streit). Tim Thomas got blasted for 52 shots, he was only able to stop 45, theres only so much one guy can do! Glen Murray and Marc Savard had three points each.

Chicago 5 - Detroit 3 - Chicago is now 4-0 on the season, Patrick Sharp made it rain hats tonight, scoring three in the third period.

Toronto 3 - Ottawa 0 - In the upset of the night, Bryan McCabe and Thomas Kaberle had two assists each and rookie Jiri Tlusty scored his third of the night, it was not by showing the goaltender his penis. Vesa Toskala made 24 saves for the shutout

New Jersey 6 - Philadelphia 2 - Martin Brodeur won his 500th career game, Zach Parise had a goal and two assists.

Carolina 2 - Florida 1 - Rod "the bod" Brind'Amour scored both goals for the Canes and Cam Ward stopped 27.

New York Rangers 4 - Pittsburgh 3 (OT) - Jason Strudwick scored the game winner in OT on a pretty pass from Paul Mara, it was Strudwick's first points of the year. Jaromir Jagr played 22:26 minutes, and did not register a point or a shot on goal, Martin Straka is close to returning which could ignite Jagr. Michal Roszival scored two goals for the Rangers and Sidney Crosby extended his point streak to 19 games. The Penguins club record is 45 by Super Mario.

St Louis 3 - Nashville 2 (SO) - Brad Boyes scored the only goal in the shootout, and also spanked one in during regulation. Hannu Toivonen made 35 saves for the Blues, rookie David Perron scored his 5th goal of the year, he has 5 points in his past 4 games.

Calgary 3 - Edmonton 1 - After losing five straight the Flames have now won two in a row. Owen Nolan and Matthew Lombardi each had a goal and an assist. Miikka Kiprusoff stopped 15 in the win. (As a blogger I must say Miikka is my favourite name to type out)

Anaheim 2 - San Jose 1 (SO) - Corey Perry scored the lone shootout goal for the Ducks, Evegni Nabokov and J.S. Gigeure both stopped 28 of 29 during the game. Goals by Chris Kunitz and Torey Mitchell. After a slow start, Anaheim is now on a 4 game win streak and is 6-1-1 in November.

Tommorow's Games (all times Eastern)
5:00pm DET@CLB
6:00pm COL@MIN
8:00pm CGY@VAN

Fantasy Watch: Scouring the Waiver Wire

F Joffrey Lupul, Philadelphia Flyers
After enduring a rather disappointing season in Edmonton last year, the Flyers took a chance on Lupul, hoping that a change of scenery would help jump start his career. Only seven games into the season and it appears that the move has paid off. Scoring two goals and five assists with Philadelphia, Lupul has proved to be an excellent acquisition thus far, leading the Flyers atop the Atlantic Divison.
Fantasy Take: Although the goals aren't there yet, Lupul has been getting his chances, as his 18 shots rank third on the team. If he is available in your draft, it might be wise to pick up the former Anaheim Duck, as a strong rebound season appears to be in the cards.

F Patrick Sharp, Chicago Blackhawks
It's difficult to find any success in Chicago's season a year ago, but one of the lone bright spots was certainly Patrick Sharp. Scoring 20 goals for the first time in his career, Sharp ended off the year with 35 points, good for sixth on the team. With many of Chicago's top goal scorers gone, Sharp has been given an increase in playing time, which has resulted in six points in his first eight games. Benefiting from the play of rookies Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, Sharp has been given a great opportunity to surpass his career high's in points, goals and assists set a year ago.
Fantasy Take: Although Sharp has six points on the year, three of those points came in one game. Before making a waiver claim on Sharp, keep an eye on his next few games to see if he can keep up this increased pace.

F Marek Svatos, Colorado Avalanche
Scoring 32 goals and 50 points in 61 games two seasons ago, Svatos was a highly regarded forward last year. Unfortunately for owners, the young Czech did not produce scoring only 30 points in 60 games played. Beginning this season mostly unnoticed, Svatos has emerged over his last four games, netting two goals and one assist. Although it's too early to call for another breakout season, it should be reminded that Svatos is only two years removed from his 30+ goal season.
Fantasy Take: Svatos has produced well over his past four games, but owners should not jump the gun quite yet. There are plenty of other options out there that can out produce Svatos, but continue to keep an eye on the Czech as he has a rather high upside.

F Ryane Clowe, San Jose Sharks
Clowe has been the main beneficiary in Cheechoo's struggles, as the forward has appeared alongside Joe Thornton, as well has receiving several minutes on the power play. Scoring a power play goal on Monday, Clowe now has five points in eight games and has seen his minutes steadily rise over that time.
Fantasy Take: Those in deeper leagues may want to take a flier on Clowe as Thornton is one of the best in the business at setting up forwards.

F Sam Gagner, Edmonton Oilers
Drafted sixth overall this past year, Gagner has had an immediate impact on the Oilers. Leading the club in scoring with seven points, Gagner has given Edmonton a much needed scoring option. Look for the rookie to be in contention for the Calder Trophy throughout the season.
Fantasy Take: Gagner is an excellent keeper selection, and an efficient starter. Although his plus/minus may suffer, continue to start the rookie in most formats.


For Illegal Curve, Im Jonny Remis....

...HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICH!