We Hardly Knew Ye, South(L)east Division

Regarded as one of the worst divisions in the history of hockey, if not sports, is now finished. The elimination of the Washington Capitals closed the chapter of the Southeast Division, something that many celebrated for being dead because most of the time these teams were only in the playoffs because they got at least one spot for actually winning the division, putting them in the 3rd spot (at least), many times points behind the 4th finisher.

But was that division as horrific as many people thought it was?? Since the division came about in the 1998-99 season, the Southeast Division sent two teams to the playoffs in eight of the 14 seasons it was around, it yielded only one President's Trophy winner (2009-10 Capitals) and two Stanley Cup Champions (2004 Lightning, 2006 Hurricanes). The Capitals, who were the only team not to move from their original location or be an expansion team, was the division winner seven times, Hurricanes three times, Lightning twice, with Panthers and Thrashers/Jets winning it once.

Now, to look how it looked in every year against the rest of the Conference for the Playoffs:

1998-99: Carolina Hurricanes: Seeded 3rd (Ranked 8th), Lost in First Round
1999-00: Washington Capitals: 2nd, Lost in First Round
                Florida Panthers: 5th, Lost in First Round
2000-01: Washington Capitals: 3rd (Ranked 6th), Lost in First Round
               Carolina Hurricanes: 8th, Lost in First Round
2001-02: Carolina Hurricanes: 3rd (Ranked 7th), Lost in Stanley Cup Finals
2002-03: Tampa Bay Lightning: 3rd (Ranked 5th), Lost in Second Round
               Washington Capitals: 6th, Lost in First Round
2003-04: Tampa Bay Lightning: 1st, Won Stanley Cup
2005-06: Carolina Hurricanes: 2nd, Won Stanley Cup
               Tampa Bay Lightning: 8th, Lost in First Round
2006-07: Atlanta Thrashers: 3rd (Ranked 5th), Lost in First Round
               Tampa Bay Lightning: 7th, Lost in First Round
2007-08: Washington Capitals: 3rd (Ranked T-7th), Lost in First Round
2008-09: Washington Capitals: 2nd, Lost in Second Round
               Carolina Hurricanes: 6th, Lost in Conference Finals
2009-10: Washington Capitals: 1st, Lost in First Round
2010-11: Washington Capitals: 1st, Lost in Second Round
                Tampa Bay Lightning: 5th, Lost in Conference Finals
2011-12: Florida Panthers: 3rd (Ranked 6th), Lost in First Round
               Washington Capitals: 7th, Lost in Second Round
2012-13: Washington Capitals: 3rd (Ranked T-4th), Lost in First Round

In summation: 13 times were lost in the first round, four times in the second round, five times in the Conference Finals, three times to the Stanley Cup, twice winning it. It's very ugly considering the differential that many of the seeded and rankings shows us. Most cases, all the teams would seemingly shoot for is to win the division in order to get to the playoffs rather than shoot for the 8th spot. While you had both in the sights, the easier thing was to hope for a collapse of your division rivals, which at times happened.

It wasn't the prettiest of divisions, it wasn't the most notable, it didn't provide too much excitement outside of who could come up with a better punchline for it. We're all probably better off with the realignment, but it did provide some kind of head scratching goodness come playoff stretch time. While it's not like they actually had a non-playoff team make the playoffs in that 3rd spot, it wasn't as if they deserved that high ranking-- even though they did lose more often than not when given that.

Stamkos, Reimer, Bryzgalov Highlight Early Saturday Games

Drew Stafford celebrates his game winner

1st Star: Drew Stafford, BUF: Game-winning goal, 1 assist
2nd Star: Chris Kunitz, PGH: 2 goals
3rd Star: Steve Ott, BUF: 1 goal

Drew Stafford goal three minute into over time helped the Sabres win their opening night tilt. While M-A Fleury had a 38 save night, it was not enough for the Penguins.

1st Star: James Reimer, TOR: 30 saves
2nd Star: Matt Frattin, TOR: 2 goals
3rd Star: Mikhail Grabovski, TOR: 1 goal, 1 assist

James Reimer put the summer goalie coach quarrel behind him and put up a 30 save performance while Matt Frattin took over the game early for the Leafs, helping take down their long-time rival.

1st Star: Marcus Johansson, WSH: 2 goals
2nd Star: Kyle Turris, OTT: 1 goal, 1 assist
3rd Star: Sergei Gonchar, OTT: 2 assists

Daniel Alfredsson's goal late in the third helped the Senators get past the Capitals and Braden Holtby. Though Marcus Johansson had a great game for the Caps, Craig Anderson was too much for the rest of the Caps, stopping the other 30 shots he faced.

1st Star: Tyler Seguin, BOS: 1 goal
2nd Star: Ilya Kovalchuk, NJ: 2 goals
3rd Star: Patrice Bergeron, BOS: 1 goal

A highlight goal from Rich Perverley and Patrice Bergeron helped the Bruins beat the Devils. Tuukka Rask stopped 25 shots in the winning effort, while Ilya Kovalchuk's offense was the bright spot for the Devils in the game.

1st Star: Ilya Bryzgalov, PHI: 32 saves
2nd Star: Wayne Simmonds, PHI: 1 goal
3rd Star: Danny Briere, PHI: 1 goal

Even without much goal support, Ilya Bryzgalov came up big to help the Flyers win their first two games of the season, getting a good showing from his defense, as well. Newcomer Brad Boyes had the lone tally for the Islanders.

1st Star: Steven Stamkos, TB: 2 goals

2nd Star: Stephen Weiss, FLA: 1 goal
3rd Star: Vincent Lecavalier, TB: 1 goal

With a new goalie in net, the Lightning broke open the scoresheet with Steven Stamkos getting his scoring touch back with two goals, including an open net. Anders Lindback faced 32 shots and saved 30 of them for his first win with his new team.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Marc Denis

While this AGM did have some kind of prominence, it was with an expansion team. A once highly rated prospect, he was let go to the expansion team and moved onto an adventure of his own. While he didn't have the best career path, he did what he could with what was in front of him. This week, the profile of Marc Denis.

Denis' quest started in the 1992-93 season playing Midget "AAA" with Montreal-Bourassa for 26 games before moving onto the Trois-Rivieres Estacades in the 1993-94 season, putting together a 10-22-3 record in 36 games and 1-3 in the four playoff games he appeared in.

Denis started in the Major Junior ranks with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the 1994-95 season, playing in 32 games and putting up a 17-9-1 record and then going 4-2 in six playoff games. The 1995-96 season saw Denis get the starting role in Chicoutimi, playing in 51 games and posting a 23-22-4 record, then finishing 8-8 in 16 playoff games. Denis also played in the 1996 World Junior Championship, going 2-0-0 in this two games en route to Canada winning the Gold Medal. It was another big year for Denis in 1996-97, going 22-15-2 in 41 games, then 11-10 in 21 playoff games, as they won the QMJHL Title. The Sagueneens would go 0-3-0 in the Memorial Cup, however. Denis also played in the 1997 WJC, going 5-0-2 in seven games winning another Gold Medal. Denis was the best goaltending in the World Junior tournament. There were more awards for Denis that spring with him winning Canadian Major Junior Goalie of the Year award, as well as named to the CHL and QMJHL First All-Star Team.

Also during that 1996-97 season, Denis made his first appearance with the team that drafted him in 1996, the Colorado Avalanche, losing his first game in December of 1996. Denis also joined the AHL's Hershey Bears for the 1997 Playoffs, going 1-0 in four appearances, as the Bears would win the Calder Cup. Denis' first pro season was in the 1997-98 season with the Bears, where he would play 47 games and put up a 17-23-4 record and then 3-3 in six playoff games. In the 1998-99 season, Denis would be back in Hershey and finish up with a 20-23-5 record in 52 games and then 1-1 record in three playoff games. Denis was called up for four games with the Avalanche where he would go 1-1-1 in that span.

Back-up duty called for Denis in the 1999-2000 season, as he would be playing behind Patrick Roy. Denis would put together a 9-8-3 record in 23 appearances.

Before the 2000-01 season, Denis was traded from the Avalanche to the expansion Columbus Blue Jackets for a second-round choice. Denis played 32 games that season and finish with a 6-20-4 record. In the 2001-02 season, Denis played in 42 games, but only put up a 9-24-5 record. The 2002-03 season, Denis moved into the starter's role and played 77 games and put up a 27-44-8 record in that time. In the 2003-04 season, Denis' time shrunk with only 66 games in the cage, but had a 21-36-7 record to show for it. While he took the 2004-05 lockout season off, Denis returned to Columbus for the 2005-06 season and put together a 21-25-1 record in 44 games. Denis also played for Canada in the 2006 World Championship and would go 4-1-0 in five games for Canada's fourth place finish.

In the summer of 2006, Denis was traded from Columbus to Tampa Bay for Fredrik Norrena and Fredrik Modin. Denis stayed with the Lightning for the 2006-07 season, compiling a 17-18-2 record in 44 games. The 2007-08 season had Denis start out in Tampa, posting a 1-5-0 record in 10 games, but would be relegated to the AHL's Norfolk Admirals, finishing there with a 11-17-2 record in 32 games.

Denis signed as a free-agent in the summer of 2008 with the Montreal Canadiens, mostly playing that 2008-09 season with the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, playing in 46 games and finished with a 27-18-0 record and then 2-4 record in six games. Denis did play one game with the Canadiens, which was a no-decision. After a summer with no offers, Denis hung up the pads.

After his playing career, Denis would go on to become a goalie coach for the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the 2009-10 season, while then moving over to become an analyst for RDS in Quebec.

It wasn't the easiest of rides and may not have had the best of teams, but he showed that if he does have a good team in front of him, he could be productive. Even with mediocre teams in junior, he could lead them to a league championship. The odd death-kneel was the expansion team woes, which didn't see him climb out of that issue with flying colors.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Rich Parent

If there's something always focused on this feature--it's the challenge of getting to the pros. With this week's AGM, he had to go through a couple junior leagues, a couple minor leagues before getting signed to a NHL contract and then all he had to take away from that was a rough injury in warm-ups no less. This week-- the profile of Rich Parent.

Parent started his journey first in the BCJHL with the Vernon Lakers in the 1991-92 season, playing in two games (0-1-0) before moving provinces and played 23 games to end that year with the AJHL's Fort McMurray Oil Barons. Parent moved to the WHL in the 1992-93 season with the Spokane Chiefs, playing in 36 games with a 12-14-2 record. In the 1993-94 season, Parent returned to the Oil Barons to play 29 games to end out his amateur career.

Undrafted, Parent went into the minor league route, signing with the Muskegon Fury of the Colonial League in the 1994-95 season; going 17-11-3 in 35 games; then going 7-3 in 13 playoff games. Parent returned to the Fury in the 1995-96 season, going 23-7-4 in 36 games-- being named the Colonial League's Most Outstanding Goalie and named to the First All-Star Team. Parent also spent time with the Rochester Americans of the AHL that season, going 0-1-0 in two games, as well as playing in the IHL with the Detroit Vipers, going 16-0-1 in 19 games. In the 1996-97 would play again for the Vipers, playing in 53 games and finishing with a 31-13-4 record, then going 8-3 in the playoffs to take home the Turner Cup for the Vipers. Parent also won the James Norris Trophy for fewest goals-against with Jeff Reese.

In the summer of 1997, Parent signed on with the St. Louis Blues, but would only make one relief appearance for the Blues. Parent spent most of the 1997-98 season with the Manitoba Moose of the IHL, going 8-12-2 in 26 games, while also playing for the Vipers, finishing with a 4-0-3 record in seven games. The 1998-99 season saw Parent split time with the Blues for 10 games (4-3-1) and their AHL affiliate Worcester IceCats for 20 games (8-8-2), but the most interesting story was during warm-ups. Parent was struck solidly by an Al MacInnis slapshot, which resulted in a ruptured testicle.

In the 1999-2000 season, Parent started off with the Utah Grizzlies, playing in 27 games with a 17-7-3 record, but while he was playing-- Parent was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning and would play 14 games for them, compiling a 2-7-1 record in 14 games, but would be sent to the IHL, again to the Detroit Vipers, finishing 3-5-1 in 10 games there.

Parent was traded twice in the summer of 2000, first to Ottawa and then to Buffalo-- but he would be a free agent at training camp and signed on with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the 2000-01 season. Parent only spent seven games in Pittsburgh, as he would spend the majority of the year with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, putting up a 17-12-5 record in 35 games, then going 13-8 in the playoffs, losing in the Finals.

After that season, Parent went over to Germany to play for five seasons with four different teams-- the Iserlohn Roosters (2001-02, 2005-06), Kassel Huskies (2002-03), Eisbaren Berlins (2003-04), and the Hannover Scorpions (2004-05). He would retire after the 2005-06 season.

Parent's toils in the minors may not be that memorable to some, but that freak injury he suffered is something that could keep him on some lists of those with a morbid state of mind. He did come away with a lot of minor league hardware, but it's nothing like the big hardware he wanted to win in the NHL.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Dieter Kochan

For many, you have to go through the systems in order to get to the pros, especially when bounced around before you ever start your career. However, this week's AGM went from a big leap and actually because the first player to go from so low to that high. This week, the profile of Dieter Kochan.

Born in Saskatchewan, Kochan first came into his own in Wisconsin high school, playing for the Edgewood Crusaders in the 1990-91 season, before moving to the USHL in the 1991-92 season with the Sioux City Musketeers, going 7-10-0 in 23 games that season. Kochan would move to the BCHL for the Kelowna Spartans going 34-8-0 in 44 games, then 12-3 in 15 playoff games, helping the Spartans win the BCHL and then the Centennial Cup for all of Canadian Junior A league champions.

After his Junior A venture,Kochan was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1993 Entry Draft in the fourth round. However, Kochan moved to the NCAA ranks with Northern Michigan University starting in the 1993-94 season, going 9-7-0 in 20 appearances, while in 1994-95, Kochan compiled a 8-17-3 record in 29 games. In his junior year of 1995-96 season, Kochan played in 31 games and went 7-21-2, while in his final season in 1996-97, he went 8-15-2 in 26 games.

Kochan moved to the pro ranks in the 1997-98 season with the ECHL's Louisville Riverfrogs, going 7-9-2 in 18 games. However, he would be on the move to the UHL with the BC Icemen in the 1998-99 season, going 18-16-5 in 40 games, while then going 1-2 in four playoff appearances. Also, Kochan would score a goal in a game in January against the Winston-Salem.

The 1999-2000 season was quite a busy one for Kochan, as he would start out with the Binghamton Icemen, but would bounce from there to the IHL's Orlando Solar Bears for four games (4-0-0), then to the Grand Rapid Griffins for two games (1-0-1) and then back to the Icemen before getting the call to the NHL by the Tampa Bay Lightning, becoming the first goalie to go from the UHL directly to the NHL. Kochan played five games for the Bolts, going 1-4-0 before moving to the AHL's Springfield Falcons for two games (1-1-0). At the end of the season for the Iceman, Kochan went 29-11-3 for the year, getting second team All-Star honors.

The 2000-01 season settled down for Kochan, as he played primarily for the IHL's Detroit Vipers, finishing with a 13-28-3 record in 49 games, but would make 10 showings for the Lightning, going 0-3-0 in those appearances. Kochan would move up to the AHL's Springfield Falcons for most of the 2001-02 season, going 21-20-1 in 45 games; then appearing in five games for the Lightning, going 0-3-1.

Kochan signed with the Minnesota Wild organization for the 2002-03 season, playing mostly with AHL's Houston Aeros, finishing with a 15-6-3 in 25 games, while playing in one game for Minnesota, a loss.

On the move before the 2003-04 season, Kochan signed with the New York Islanders, but would be relegated to the AHL's Bridgeport Tigers-- playing in 45 games and compiling a 20-17-7 record, then 1-3 in four playoff games. However, Kochan, along with Wade Dubielwicz,won the Harry "Hap" Holmes Award for fewest goals-against in the AHL. Kochan remained in Bridgeport for the 2004-05 season, playing in 39 games and breaking even with a 19-19-0 record.

Without a job in North America, Kochan moved to Russia for the 2005-06 season for Sibir Novosibirsk, playing in only eight games. Kochan moved back to North America during the 2005-06 season, playing in 15 games for the Portland Pirates and going 9-4-1. The 2006-07 season had Kochan signing back in Houston and went 6-14-1 in 23 games for the Aeros before announcing his retirement after the season.

Kochan stayed in hockey for a bit, being the volunteer goalie coach for Michigan Tech from 2008 until 2011.

Though the orthodox route wasn't what happened with Kochan to get to the NHL, he was a guy who still hung in their rough despite not having the team around him or the record to help back him up. He had his moment to shine and will have the record to get the call from a very lower minor league to the show.

Salvation in Realignment??

The picture above is what everyone is raving about today. During the Board of Governor's meeting, 26 of the 30 teams approved of the idea, with only NHLPA agreement needed for ratification. The jist is that it's four different "conferences" (let's just call them divisions....or "confervision")-- two with eight, two with seven-- and then the top four will go to the playoffs, then move on from there.

While it's great news for people who love divisional playoffs (me especially), it could be interesting for some teams when it comes to this whole thing saving some franchises. Columbus and Phoenix do get a bit of a reprieve, but now it just seems that the one "confervision" that will be interesting to see if two of them will survive in the next five/ten years.

When it comes to the old Northeast Division plus the Florida teams will be the most interesting set to look at-- especially with the future of the Florida Panthers. However, it would prime them to move to Quebec City, leaving Tampa in the lurch hoping for another realignment. You can imagine that the Lightning and Panthers were two of the four teams to not approve of this, and rightfully so-- the closest team in there "confervision" to each outside of the state of Florida is Boston (1,237 miles from Miami, 1,183 from Tampa); which is.....quite the haul for the home-and-home scheduling that seems to be formatted.

The Bolts are on good footing with their new ownership group restructuring themselves perfectly from the Oren Koules/Len Barrie bedlam that happened, so I don't think they'll have issues with the travel costs. The Panthers on the other hand, I feel a little sketchy about. Sure, they've been doing well this year, but still 21st in attendance with just over 15,000 people going to their home games, which is right around their average. There's been questions about their stability for a while, even with them being bought in 2009, but it's not as widely reported as other teams like the Coyotes and Atlanta Thrashers.

Sure, there's some teams that this realignment helps, which is great-- that means hopefully less issues of which team is in peril this week and snap moves in the summer like we saw this past summer. Yet, you're always going to have the questions-- particularly when you have teams more than 1,000 miles from their nearest competition outside of their own state.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Derek Wilkinson

While you always hate to see a goalie have his career cut short due to lack of opportunities, the fact that this week's AGM was able to make it to the show and then make a solid name for himself after his playing days is always a good thing. This week, the profile of Derek Wilkinson.

While he first busted on the scene in the 1989-90 season in Junior B and C hockey with the Windsor Bulldogs and Belle River Canadiens respectively, he broke out a bit in the 1990-91 season in Junior B with the Chatham Micmacs Jr. team, playing in 24 games with a 3.61 GAA in that year.

Wilkinson moved up to the OHL for the 1991-92 season with the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors, where he would play 38 games and go 16-17-1 in the regular season, with a 3-2 record in seven playoff appearances. The Tampa Bay Lightning drafted Wilkinson in the 1992 Entry Draft in the 7th Round. The 1992-93 season had Wilkinson in Detroit with the newly named Jr. Red Wings, going 1-2-1 in four games before getting traded to the Belleville Bulls-- playing in 59 games and finishing with a record of 21-24-11, then 3-4 in seven playoff games. Returning to Belleville for the 1993-94 season, Wilkinson went 24-16-4 in 56 games and then 6-6 in 12 games of the playoffs.

Moving up to the professional ranks in the 1994-95 season, Wilkinson spent the year in the IHL with the Atlanta Knights, playing in 46 games and finished with a 22-17-2 record, then going 2-1 in four playoff games. Wilkinson had the bulk of the 1995-96 season spent in Atlanta again, playing in 28 games and compiling an 11-11-2 record, then getting called up to Tampa Bay; playing in four games and posting a 0-3-0 record.

The Bolts changed affiliates to the Cleveland Lumberjacks in the 1996-97 season, where Wilkinson would be for most of the year-- playing in 46 games with a 20-17-6 record, then going 8-6 in the playoffs. Wilkinson got the call to Tampa Bay again, this time going 0-2-1 in five games. The 1997-98 season had a bit of a split, as Wilkinson only played 25 games in Cleveland (9-12-2) and then appeared in eight games with Tampa Bay (2-4-1). Wilkinson had another split year in the 1998-99 season, playing in Cleveland for 34 games whilst finishing with a 10-15-2 record; then moving up to Tampa for five games with a 1-3-1 record.

The 1999-2000 season had Wilkinson as a free agent, which he would serve the bulk of the season with the ECHL's Charlotte Checkers, playing in 31 games and finishing with a 11-13-2 record. Wilkinson would also play a game with the IHL's Chicago Wolves, were he would get a tie out of it. Wilkinson got signed by the Belfast Giants of the British Elite League for the 2000-01 season, playing 23 games there before hanging up his pads for good at the age of 26.

While he had his career ended early, Wilkinson was able to land on his feet afterwords, getting hired by the Charlotte Checkers as an assistant coach in the 2002-03 season, then moving to head coach in the middle of the 2003-04 season. Wilkinson would be the head coach in Charlotte until they moved into the AHL, in which he took over the role of Senior VP of Business Operations of the Checkers. He remains the winningest coach in Checkers history at 237-182-42.

It was a long road and it seemed that Wilkinson wasn't able to find his niche in the NHL, Wilkinson made his mark in the minors and then parlayed that into a coaching role and making a very successful run for himself. It was short and sweet, but he'll last forever due to this post.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Kevin Hodson

There are many times where a guy falls into good fortunes and sometimes where guys make their own good fortunes. It seems that this week's AGM had a little bit of both during his playing career. While he made a name for himself on the junior stage; he fell into greatness on the NHL stage to start off with, then had some troubles getting any ice time from there. This week, the profile of Kevin Hodson.

Hodson got started off with his hometown Winnipeg Blues of the Manitoba Junior "A" league before he moved on with the OHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds starting in the 1990-91 season, where Hodson would play 30 games and finished off with a 18-11-0 record; then went 9-1 in ten playoff games on way to helping the Greyhounds to the OHL Championship. However, Hodson would go 0-1 in two Memorial Cup games. The 1991-92 season saw Hodson get more game time in with the Greyhounds, going 28-12-4 in 50 games; then going 12-6 in 18 playoff games to help the Greyhounds to a second straight OHL Championship. In the 1992 Memorial Cup, Hodson went 3-1, with the only loss coming in the Championship game.

In August of 1992, the Chicago Blackhawks signed Hodson to a contract, but stuck him in the IHL with the Indianapolis Ice. With the Ice, Hodson went 5-9-0 in 14 games before the Blackhawks sent him back to the OHL and the Greyhounds. Back with the Hounds, Hodson went 18-5-2 in 26 games, then going 11-2 in the playoffs, though the Hounds would lose to Peterborough in the OHL Championship series. Yet, with Sault Ste. Marie hosting the Memorial Cup, they would get into the tournament and Hodson would go 3-0-1 and allowed the Greyhounds to win the Memorial Cup in their third try. Hodson took home the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy for Outstanding Goaltender in the Memorial Cup, the Memorial Cup All-Star Team, then the OHL All-Star team as well.

Hodson would sign with the Detroit Red Wings before the 1993-94 season, but would be placed in the AHL with the Adirondack Red Wings. Hodson would get in 37 games and post a 20-10-5 record in the regular season, before going 0-2 in three playoff games. The 1994-95 season saw Hodson able to get into 51 games and finish 19-22-8 record, but only go 0-4 in four playoff games. Back in Adirondack in the 1995-96 season, Hodson would 13-13-2 in 32 games, then 0-2 in three playoff games. Hodson would also get into four games with Detroit, going 2-0-0 in his time there.

Detroit kept Hodson up on the team in the 1996-97 season as a third goalie, which limited him to only six games all season for Detroit, finishing with a 2-2-1 record. However, thanks to him staying up on the roster all year, the Red Wings petitioned and got Hodson's name on the Stanley Cup when they won it that summer. Hodson did get two games in the IHL that season with the Quebec Rafales and end with a 1-1-0 record. In the 1997-98 season, Hodson was the back-up for the season and get into 21 games, finishing with a 9-3-3 record and saw 16 seconds of ice time in the playoffs, as the Red Wings would win the Stanley Cup yet again. The 1998-99 season had Hodson seeing limited time in Detroit, playing on four games with only a 0-2-0 record; then being sent down to Adirondack-- playing in six games finishing with a 1-3-2 record before getting on the move.

At the trade deadline in 1999, Hodson and a draft pick was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Wendel Clark, Bill Ranford, and a draft pick. In five games at the end of the season, Hodson went 2-1-1. Hodson would be back in Tampa for the 1999-2000 season, but would appear in most of his 24 games in relief, finishing with a 2-7-4 record. He would get sent down to the IHL's Detroit Vipers for nine games, finishing 2-6-0 record there.

Hodson was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in June of 2000, but would not play with the Canadiens or their affiliates, pretty much being inactive for a coupe years.

Hodson would return to the NHL when he re-signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the 2002-03 season, but only appear in seven games with a 0-3-1 record before deciding to hang-up the pads in January of 2003 when the Bolts brought in John Grahame from Boston.

The retirement didn't last too long, as Hodson signed with the Texas Wildcatters of the ECHL in August of 2003, but did not make the squad out of camp. In November of 2003, Hodson went to Finland, signing for Jokerit. Hodson would appear in only three games, finishing with a 1-1-1 record before hanging up the pads for good.

After his career, Hodson went back to school and earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie and is now working as a financial adviser with Edward Jones Investments.

While he didn't have the greatest NHL career, it was mostly because he wasn't able to get enough games in; but was valuable enough to be kept on a good team as insurance. It got him some good hardware in the end and some valuable experiences. Even so, he had enough sense to go back to school and make the most of his life after hockey; even if he's not directly related to the game anymore.

Long Line Change: Stammer, Coaches, and Retirements

There hasn't be a lot of news......or enough for me to do crazy posts on it and make a lot out of a little. So I've concocted this "Long Line Change" to maybe get the same information out in one fancy place......huzzah?? In any case.....

Steven Stamkos Re-Signs

It took what seemed forever, Steven Stamkos finally re-signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning to the tune of five-years and $37.5M ($7.5M cap hit). It was something that you knew was going to get done sooner or later and Steve Yzerman did it right; pacing things and letting it all play out how it needed to. It's a solid price for a kid who is already a star and should be solid for the Bolts in the long-run as well. Plus, the move leaves about $7M in buffer room for the Bolts against the salary cap.

That said, still no word on the other highly touted RFA, Drew Doughty of the LA Kings. Though you can bet that will be under the microscope moreso now with Stamoks signed.

The Devil You Now Know

In what could be considered a decent coaching swerve, the New Jersey Devils didn't go with Guy Carbonneau or Ken Hitchcock-- heck, even Michel Therrien wasn't good enough for them. No, Lou Lamoriello went with former Florida Panthers coach Peter DeBoer to be the new bench-boss in the Swamp. DeBoer didn't have much success while in Florida, but he also didn't have the guns to really make a huge splash. With the Devils, he'll have a solid line-up and should be able to show his meddle in the big leagues.

Retirement Always Means Hall of Fame Debates

Chris Osgood called it a career, finishing his career with 401 wins and three Stanley Cups. While he did have a solid career, are his numbers good enough to get him into the Hockey Hall of Fame?? Personally, on merit alone-- the Cups and wins gets him in; but not as a first-ballot guy. While he could slip in there on the first one, I still think there's a lot of guys who are more worthy than Osgood. He'll get in one day, but I don't think it'll be right off the hop.

What's Next 2011: Tampa Bay Lightning

While it wasn't the Cinderella story we all thought it would be, the first year of the "new" look Lightning set the bar pretty high for next season. However, with the GM and coach tandem they have, this playoff was probably a warning for the rest of the East to look out for the revitalized Bolts.

The biggest question heading into the off-season is the goaltending. Dwayne Roloson is probably not going to be back, mostly due to his age and possible price tag after the playoffs he had. Yet, Mike Smith is also a UFA, which will be interesting to see how that negotiation goes with how he played in the Conference Finals. With two young goalies like Dustin Tokarski and Jaroslav Janus signed and ready to go, but are they ready to back-up Smith?? You can bet GM Steve Yzerman will shop the market for a decent back-up for Smith if they retain him.

Obviously, the big thing for Yzerman before that is locking up Steven Stamkos, who is a restricted free-agent and probably will get a nice long-term deal to stay around with Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier for the future. Granted, while Simon Gagne won't be back-- other role players like Sean Bergenheim and Teddy Purcell will be top priority for Yzerman over Gagne. The offense was very solid and they have plenty of firepower up and down the line-up; which should take pressure off the top-three guys. Plus, you have to look for James Wright and Carter Ashton to make a big push to get into the everyday line-up and even bump some of the role players.

On the blue-line, the core seems to be there with Victor Hedman, Mattias Ohlund, and Pavel Kubina will be back-- but what could be something to look at is whether or not Eric Brewer will be back with the team. Brewer won't light the score sheet on fire, but could be an invaluable defensive resource. There's not much on the horizon, so the free agent market should be solid for the Bolts to replenish what they may lose.

Regardless of what happens and whatever parts are actually in the line-up; Guy Boucher will be able to mold those guys into his kind of players and will be able to keep this solid run alive and build off of that. So long as the players buy-into it, they'll be fine. If they don't, then they may have a long-bumpy road to get to this spot again.

Absurd Goalie Monday: David Littman

While I didn't plan it like this, it just happens to be the 91st goalie in the AGM series, which is the year that this year's AGM's new gig started. It's a guy who didn't get much of a taste of the NHL, but still had a pretty solid career in the NCAAs and minor leagues. He may have taken the scouting report of being technically sound a bit too seriously. This is the profile of David Littman.

While Littman started with the Oyster Bay Gulls in the New York Junior League, Littman really burst onto the scene with the Boston College Golden Eagles in the NCAA for the 1985-86 season, where he was a scholarship goalie-- playing in seven games in the first year and going 4-0-1. Littman would split time in 1986-87 with Shaun Real, playing in 21 games sporting a 15-5-0 record, as well as helping BC win the Hockey East Championship that season. That season would get Littman drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1987 Draft in the 11th Round. The 1987-88 season would be a little rough for Littman and the Golden Eagles, going 11-16-2 in 30 games, but was able to get a hold of Hockey East Second All-Star Team honors. However, Littman would bounce back with a 19-9-4 record in his 32 games, grabbing Hockey East First All-Star Team honors and NCAA East Second Team All-American honors.

The 1989-90 season would give Littman his first taste of pro hockey, splitting time between the AHL's Rochester Americans (5-6-1) and IHL's Phoenix Roadrunners (8-7-2). However, Littman would settle into the AHL role for the 1990-91 season, playing in 56 games with Rochester and going 33-13-5, then going 4-2 in eight playoff games, as the Americans lost in the Calder Cup finals. Littman would get his first NHL game in late January 1991 with the Sabres; replacing former AGM Darcy Wakaluk for half the game, both of whom were Buffalo's AHL goalies. Littman and Wakaluk won the Hap Holmes Award in the AHL for fewest goals-against, as well as Littman getting AHL First Team All-Star honors. The 1991-92 season had Littman back in the Rochester cage, playing in 60 games with a 28-20-9 record, going 8-7 in the playoffs; though losing in the semi-finals. Littman got his second Hap Holmes Award and AHL Second Team All-Star honors. Also, Littman got one full game with the Sabres that year, a losing effort against the Islanders.

During the summer of 1992, Littman decided to sign on with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the 1992-93 season, but he would spend most of his time with the IHL's Atlanta Knights, going 23-12-4 record in 44 games, 1-2 in three playoff games, then losing his only game with the Bolts that season against the Devils when replacing another former AGM, Pat Jablonski.

While Littman signed with the Boston Bruins for the 1993-94 season, he was again relegated to the AHL ranks, splitting between the Providence Bruins for 25 games (10-11-3), then loaned out to the Fredericton Canadiens for 16 games (8-7-0). That off-season, he played in one game for the World Championships for the USA, a loss, as they would finish fourth.

Littman didn't play most of the 1994-95 season for some reason (can't find the reasoning), but he would land in the ECHL with the Richmond Renegades for eight games in the season, going 4-2-0, then busting out big and going 12-4 in 17 playoff games, leading the Renegades to a Kelly Cup championship. The summer of 1995 had Littman go to the RHI, playing for the Los Angeles Blades for three games, going 1-1-1.

It was an IHL adventure for 1995-96 onward, starting first with the Los Angeles Ice Dogs, playing in 43 games and putting up a 17-16-5 record, but missing the playoffs. The 1996-97 season had Littman move to San Antonio to play with the Dragons, where he would put up a 20-16-5 record in 45 games, but going 1-3 in the playoffs.

Another run for Littman came starting in 1997-98, where he would land in Orlando to play of the Solar Bears-- going 21-13-6 record in 44 games, then 8-8 in the playoffs. It was a big year in 1998-99, as Littman played in 55 games finishing with a 32-17-1 record, but appeared in only two playoff games-- both with no decisions. However, the 1999-2000 year wasn't as kind for Littman, as he would only play two games in Orlando, going 1-1 before he would abruptly call it quits.

However, don't feel too bad for Littman-- sure he was a bit off on his NHL dream, but he's living a dream other people would love to have-- Producer for EA Sports' NHL series of games. Rather than not doing the story of him moving from hockey to video games justice-- I'll let his post about the transition go to work.

While he didn't get a primo job as an NHL goalie, he's got a primo job doing work with the NHL and creating something that most NHL fans enjoy. He was able to go through the ranks of minor leagues to try to reach the pinnacle and able to climb through the entry level ranks to be a solid figure head that provides a fancy product to the non-playing fan to actually allow them the chance to experience the game without going through the training and all of that stuff.

Chronic Prognosticator: Conference Finals

It's finally time for the Conference Finals and the Final Four teams couldn't be more.....I guess evenly matched could be a good word for it, but these should be some solid series; though it'll take a lot to match the San Jose/Detroit series or Vancouver/Chicago side.

Well.....let's do it.

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
(3) Boston Bruins vs. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning

This will be a chess-match. The fact that both these teams are leading the way in the East proves that defense wins championships. The big issue will be not only trying to figure out each of these goalies-- but also which team can transition better off their defensive strong-point.

When it comes down to it, I think Tampa has a better edge and have shown a little bit more depth in their line-up. Not to say the Bruins don't have that, but who would have thought that Sean Bergenheim would have seven goals and Steve Downie have 10 assists?? Those are two guys who are really helping out beyond the top guys of Martin St. Louis, Vincent Lecavalier, and Steven Stamkos.

However, the Bruins definitely have a defensive edge with Zdeno Chara and Andrew Ference on the back-end. The fact Timmy Thomas is up for a Vezina should tell you that he's got the credentials to get a team through the worst, but he does have his own bouts of meltdowns.

PREDICTION: Tampa Bay Lightning in Seven Games
WHY??: It'll be a struggle in this series with these two, but I think the Bolts have really shown their gumption with Guy Boucher behind the bench and the long layoff will serve them well in resting a guy like Dwayne Roloson, who is up there and may not have been able to taken the grind of one series after another.

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
(1) Vancouver Canucks vs. (2) San Jose Sharks

While we had hoped these two would be in their Conference finals-- not many people thought they could actually get to it and face each other. A lot of people on the Twitter even said this could be the first series where both teams would lose-- which I would like to see, actually.

When it comes to the Canucks, it was great for them to get Ryan Kesler back into the fold, but now it's about getting the Sedins into it. This series could be a wide-open event, which could bring in the Sedins nicely-- but if they can't get it going from Game One; it could be another series of commentators questioning them night-after-night.

The Sharks should be happy not to choke a 3-0 lead in the second round, but at the same time-- it's a warning for them. The fact we'll see a Joe Thornton and Kesler match-up in the face-off dot is exciting. The big deal is Ryane Clowe and Logan Couture carrying the Sharks in the scoring, which needs to be a wake-up call for Patrick Marleau and Dany Heatley-- who have been virtuall invisible.

PREDICTION: San Jose Sharks in Six Games
WHY??: While the goaltending and defensive breakdown hurt the Sharks psyche a bit-- the fact remains they are getting a lot from their depth guys and can put distance on themselves when needed. Both teams are going to be urged to get their offense going quickly because the minute they rattle the oppositions goalie-- the better the chances to making it a quick series.

Friday Five: Quick Second Round??

We had a bit of hiatus, but with not much else going on-- why not bring it back for a second. It's been.....uneventful following the amazing first round, not much could meet up to those kind of expectations.

1. Is there something that could really save this second round, as three series could be sweeps and the other at 3-1??

Unless we get a monumental comeback like last year's second round; I don't know if there's much that could really save that. But-- looking at it like this; odds are they could push everything back and we'll get the Stanley Cup finals started earlier than June 1st. But, we usually have these dud rounds, though they usually come in the first round, mostly because there's more series'.

2. Speaking of 3s and 1s, can anything stop the Tampa Bay Lightning??

The Bolts are strong and mostly due to the system, but Dwayne Roloson has been outstanding and the Bolts are not only working the defensive system; but transitioning well off the system. The Bolts scored an average of four goals per game against the Caps, so it's not like it's a boring trap system of old. Both the Bruins or Flyers will have their work cut out for them in the Conference Finals.

3. While he went missing in the first round, Ryan Kesler has really beaten Mike Fisher in the checking game in round two. How did Kesler get his groove back??

It seems that Kesler was able to adjust against Nashville, mostly because outside of Fisher-- there's very few would could keep up with Kesler in Nashville. Chicago had a lot of muckers who could keep up with Kesler, but it seems he's able to disappear and reappear at will against Nashville. There's only so much Pekka Rinne can do while being the back stop for the Preds, he can't play man-to-man on Kesler.

4. Are the Red Wings showing that ending a series really early is a bad thing??

The Red Wings don't look like the Red Wings in the first round, even with guys like Henrik Zetterberg back in the line-up. While it may have been the long layoff putting up a lot of rust on the team, but the Sharks are really primed for big things. These games are also close, all one goal games-- two of the three going to overtime. Even with the Sharks on the verge, I think the Wings will make that fourth game tougher to to win for San Jose.

5. Question of the week: What to do with Bruce Boudreau??

I believe that George McPhee won't be the one to fire him, so that only leaves Ted Leonsis to do the deed. I don't think Ted will do that, for now. The Caps front office will give Boudreau another half-season; but if they falter like they did at the start of this season-- they will pull the trigger on firing Boudreau and getting some new blood on there. It's not that Boudreau is a bad coach, the players may or may not have forgotten what they were told from him; which could have been their downfall.

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If you have any ideas to put through the playoff grind, email me at Scotty.Wazz@Gmail.com and I'll do what I can in order to answer the questions/topic/or whatever.

The Psychology of Guy Boucher

Say what you will about his tactics, say what you will about his motive, say what you will about the idea in general-- but the mind games that Guy Boucher, head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, has been playing with his playoff opponents are fantastic.

In almost a "Kill 'em with kindness" sort of way, Boucher is using self-deprecation in a way that we may not have seen before, especially against the Washington Capitals, and while it may or may not have an effect on the Caps-- what he's saying could be a lingering effect should this series go a long way.

And the best part is that his team his buying into it.

Going into the series, Boucher pretty much said that he didn't expect his team to win this series and that it was Washington's series to lose because of their experience, then after a Game One victory said that he expects Washington to come out guns a-blazin' and they'll be outstanding in Game Two.

No pressure, Caps-- you'll just have to play the best you've ever played to show Boucher and the Bolts that they should be careful what they wish for.

And that's just it-- to put the high expectation on the other team, it throws them for a loop. Look at the Penguins' series; every press conference he gave, he always stated that he thought that Sidney Crosby would play in the series and it could be that game. Sure, that's good to actually prepare for a player of his caliber to come back, but to go on public record about it, very openly, shows that he wants the reporter to maybe go back to the other side and pester them about something he knows is false.

It's one thing to have a coach say this to relieve the pressure, but when you have your team actually getting into it and following the lead of their coach by being self-deprecating and to give all the credit to the Caps-- it's something that you normally don't see too often. Sure, you'll have a captain or veteran guy back-up the coach's statement-- but the Bolts seem like, to a man, they're following the coach's demeanor off the ice and taking it in stride. Boucher has really "hypnotoad'd" the Lightning and it could be the best thing that's ever happened to him.

While it's a bit of a snub for Boucher to not get nominated for the Jack Adams Trophy for best coach in the NHL; there's going to be a time where he will actually have his hands on it, posing for pictures in Vegas at the Awards Show. The way he's got the Bolts playing, it'll be hard-pressed for any team to beat them easily, mostly because they play a frustrating brand of hockey and capitalize frequently on teams trying to change up their game plan without actually having a "Plan B" to go to.

Say what you will about the team, you have to respect a coach who is able to not only throw off the game of the opposition off-the-ice, but also to pass it along to his team without getting them down or throwing them off their own game. Whether it wins another playoff game or series this season remains to be seen, but the head games are something that's Boucher has mastered in under a year in the NHL.

Friday Five: Skating and Fighting are Two Things Goalies Do

It's been quite the odd week coming out of All-Star Weekend, which seemed to give a nice punch in the arms to the traditional ASG. Plus, we saw others going back onto the IR after another a poor decision-- which is something you could say throughout his career.

1. Rick DiPietro is back on the IR with facial fractures and knee swelling. How's that make everyone feel??

You have to feel bad for DiPietro, but when you see him make a poor decision like fighting with 17 second left in the game-- you kinda knew something like this would come from it. The knee swelling is nothing new, though and odds are he would probably be out a bit from that, but when he got lit up by Brent Johnson-- you knew it was just a matter of time before this news would come out. Worse off, Evgeni Nabokov still sits-- which maybe isn't a bad thing. As friend of FOHS, Anthony pointed out-- Nabby could ruin the Isles lottery chances if he played out of his mind and got the Isles on a little run-- which would make the Isles fans hate him more.

2. Which was more unlikely to see-- goalie race at the skills competition or the goalie fight??

Both are very rare and should be looked at in awe. However, it's more likely to get the goalie fight than to have a goalie race, that is only one race and happens once-a-year, if the Olympics to see. Even so, unless the games get out of hand-- we won't get a goalie fight in the NHL all that often, because we haven't seen one since 2007 in the regular season. Oddly enough, I liked both sides of things, but the race was more of a dance-off, where the fights are actually settling things once and for all. But the goalie race is all but a guarantee for ASG weekend now, but goalie fights are much more unlikely in the NHL.

3. After this All-Star Weekend, how much more of a change can we expect out of future events??

There will probably be some adjustments to some of the events during the Skills session, but in the end not much will be needed to be changed. The NHL did a lot of tinkering and it seemed to work on an idea that many hate because of the fact it's not real competition. When all is said and done-- the atmosphere was right, the festivities were great by all accounts, and things worked out well. To be honest, I believe you have to have the ASGs in places that are not hardcore hockey moments,

4. With the retirement of Craig Conroy, have we seen the last of the non-cliched players in the league??

I don't think we'll see one that was a good as Conroy. We have the Sean Avery and BizNasty types, but people hate him. It'll be a long time before we see a likable guy who doesn't throw out cliche lines again. With all the media training some people get in juniors and such-- a lot of guys lose their personality and only the muckers and grinders have personality-- but not many care for what they have to say because they're trying to put themselves over. Maybe PK Subban will carry the torch, but odds are he'll get roped in before he could actually make the dent Conroy did.

5. While the Bolts jerseys are getting pans and praised-- are there any jerseys that you hated or liked, then had a change of heart??

First and foremost, I hate the Caps new Edge jerseys when they first came out; as I mentioned when in Sombrero Guy's hotel room before we went to the Draft in Columbus. Yet, I love the Caps unis, especially the weagle patch. I think I finally came around to the Minnesota Wild's Christmas jerseys they use, as I did with the Atlanta Thrashers' baby-blue jerseys with the one-sleeve. At first I liked the Ducks' jerseys when they dropped the "mighty"-- but I turned on them when I thought there were really plain and then realized their alternates are what they should have done. Pretty sure that's all, but probably much more.

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And that's another week in the books. If you have questions or idea-- email me Scotty.Wazz@Gmail.com and give me some ideas or whatever. If you don't-- same clap-trap you get every week.

On the Topic of the Second Half

The unofficial second-half of the season starts, even though many teams have played over 50 games. Yet, there's a lot to be settled, especially in the Western Conference; as five points separate 8th and 14th place, so there's going to be a shootout towards the end of the season. Plus, not only that-- but the shuffle for the top-spot and the shuffle to get out of the cellar (or stay in it) will be happening. For me....here's the storylines:

WILD WEST RACE

Obviously, this is going to be the biggest thing going down the pike. With so many teams close enough together for the last playoff spot, the pressure on those teams will be immense. Could the Calgary Flames, who were written off in the first months, actually make the playoffs against all odds?? Will the Blues finally get the Jaroslav Halak that made him the folk hero in Montreal last playoffs?? Do the Blackhawks have what it takes to hang onto the last spots in the playoffs or will they be a one-and-done champion?? The West is always a conference for parity and this year continues that trend.

SOUTH-BEAST DIVISION

There's a high possibility that four of the teams in the Southeast Division could make the playoffs, which could put the halt on the dismissiveness against this division. Granted, the Thrashers and Hurricanes are battling it out for the last playoff spot and it'll be likely for only three teams-- but still, it's much better than the division winner only getting in. The talent is finally showing in the Southeast Division and this could be the year it takes everyone by the ear.

PRESIDENTIAL RACE

The Philadelphia Flyers and Vancouver Canucks are tied up in points for tops in the NHL. While there may not have been many questions about the Canucks, who just seemed to falter in the playoffs when playing the Blackhawks; but the Flyers could be the surprise, if only because there were questions about the goaltending (since answered by Sergei Bobrovsky) and dealing with injuries. They've done just fine and the Flyers could be the team to beat out of the East and in the NHL when the second-season comes.

WHO FLINCHES FIRST??

The Trade Deadline is 27 days away and it's all a matter of who is going to be what the first domino is going to be. The fact of the matter is that the salary cap has hamstrung a lot of teams and maybe some parts will go unfixed because the money doesn't allow it. Who knows if we're going to see a lot of movement (especially on the chicken fingers), but the posturing between everyone could be the real thrill to watch.

FUTURE LOOK: ALL BLUE EVERYTHING

This isn't much of a second-half of the season story, but one to kick it off. The Tampa Bay Lightning are going to ditch the black and go simple and blue with their new logo and jersey for next season. The logo is very simplistic, with a nice touch of having "Tampa Bay" only on the away jerseys. It's a downer because their look was pretty solid with the black, blue, silver, and white-- plus they had their "BOLTS" jersey debuting last year, too. Plus, while it's nice to change, going along with the ownership shift-- I don't think going with all-blue is the right way; because lightning doesn't happen when there's all-blue skies. That should fun to see, as that's the first of what could be many changes, if you listen to rumors.

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That's how I see the second-half as we restart the games that matter now. After this month is when we'll know the contenders and pretenders. Plus, we all know that even if teams make wholesale changes-- the chemistry may not be there and may do more to hinder than help. Drop the puck and let's get going.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Jean-Claude Bergeron

There are few times were one of the AGMs hits their stride after their junior career....but here we are. This week, the AGM in question really got noticed for his days in the minors while playing later in his career than his junior and early years in minor league hockey. This week, the career of Jean-Claude Bergeron.

Bergeron first came busting on the scene in the QMJHL with the Shawinigan Cataractes in the 1985-86 season as a back-up, going 13-16-1 in 33 games. The 1986-87 season saw Bergeron start off with Shawinigan for 11 games with a 5-4-1 record before he was dealt to the very defensively inept Verdun Jr. Canadiens, where he would take over the starting role. He would play 41 games with Verdun with an 11-28-1 record to end out the year. Back in Verdun for the 1987-88 season, where it wouldn't get much better with a 13-31-3 record in 49 games, giving up 265 goals behind that horrific defense. Yet, even with those numbers, the Montreal Canadiens would pick up Bergeron in the 5th round of the 1988 Draft. The worse of the Verdun years would be in the 1988-89 season, as Bergeron would play 44 games and record an abysmal 8-34-1 record.

There would be a reprive with Bergeron during that '88-'89 season, as he would move to the AHL's Sherbrooke Canadiens for five games and put up a 4-1-0 record. In his first pro season of 1989-90, Bergeron would see plenty of ice time; playing in 40 games while compiling a record of 21-8-7, while going 6-2 in nine playoff games. Bergeron would be named to the AHL's First All-Star Team and share the Hap Holmes Trophy with tandem partner Andre Racicot for least goals-against, in addition to his Baz Bastien Trophy win for Outstanding Goaltender of the year.

Bergeron would start out the 1990-91 season with the Montreal Canadiens on their French Tour, going 1-0-0 in two games, then would spend 18 games with Montreal, splitting between the beginning and ending of the season, going 7-6-2. During the middle of the year, he would head to Fredericton; the new home of the Habs AHL affiliate, playing 18 games with a 12-6-0 record, then going 5-5 in 10 playoff games. In 1991-92, Bergeron would start out with Fredericton and would play 18 games, but his 5-7-1 record would get him sent to the IHL's Peoria Rivermen, where he would play 27 games, finishing with a 14-9-3 record, while going 3-3 in six playoff games.

During the summer of 1992, Bergeron would be traded by Montreal to the expansion Tampa Bay Lightning for Frederic Chabot. That 1992-93 season would see play third string behind former AGMs Pat Jablonski and Wendell Young; but he would get 21 games in with a 8-10-1 record. With another goaltending acquisition, Bergeron would play most of the 1993-94 season with the IHL's Atlanta Knights, playing in 48 games with a stellar 27-11-3 record, then going 1-1 in two playoff games, as he would be a part of the Turner Cup champion team. Bergeron would share the James Norris Trophy with Mike Greenlay for fewest goals-against during the year. Bergeron would get three games of call-up in the '93-'94 season, going 1-1-1.

The 1994-95 season had Bergeron start off in Atlanta while the NHL lockout was going on, playing in six games with a 3-3-0 record. As the lockout ended, Bergeron was called-up to the Tampa Bay Lightning to get in 17 games of action during the shorten season with a 3-9-1 record. Bergeron would start off in Tampa in the 1995-96 season, but would only spend 12 games (2-6-2) before being sent down to Atlanta. With Atlanta, Bergeron would get in 25 games, but not fare as well as he did years prior, going 9-10-3.

Bergeron would sign with the Los Angeles Kings for the 1996-97, but would be sent to the IHL's Phoenix Roadrunners for the bulk of the season. With the Roadrunners, Bergeron would see 42 games in net, ending the year with an 11-19-2 record. Bergeron would see one game with the Kings, losing said game.

Bergeron would take a year off before resurfacing in the Quebec Semi-Pro League, playing for the Joliette Blizzard in the 1998-99 season, going 12-1-1 in 15 games, then going 9-2 in 11 playoff games, helping the Blizzard capture the QSPHL crown. Bergeron would return for 13 more games in the 1999-2000 season, going 8-5-0 before hanging up the pads for good.

Bergeron took his time and tenure in the NHL to the next level, becoming the Hockey Business Unit Director for Reebok Hockey; where he oversees the CCM line of goaltending equipment.

He has his championships and did have to deal with some not-so-great teams in front of him, but he seemed to keep coming back for more, regardless of the punishment he took. Even after taking a year off, he was able to come back and be successful, albeit in the semi-pro league. While he continues to deal with the pads....he's in a little bit safer confines and not facing as many shots as he did in his playing days.

Friday Five: Off-Ice Clamoring

It's another week done and it's time for the F5, which is what we do every week-- but what a week.

1. Colin Campbell doesn't seem to get email-- should he have some clue??

You would have hoped that a high-level NHL executive would understand the concept of email and how it works, but it doesn't seem that way. The fact of the matter is that he could have had some idea that maybe he could be bit in the ass by something like this; but he took a chance and had to respect that. That said, you have to think that Campbell is the Teflon Don in the NHL offices, mostly because he can run his mouth like this and preside over the league discipline like he does and not get fired or knocked down. The latter part, which is his job, should be definitely focused on and the inconsistency he has shown is the reason why he should be knocked down a peg.

One last thing about the emails, he did claim it was locker room talk and he probably didn't think they would be exposed like they were due to the Dean Warren lawsuit, but it's probably a lot easier to pick up a phone to actually get it done. It's much harder to get caught, unless the other person has bugged the line. Emails are far too easy to access in this age of technology, so it's probably the most dangerous form of communication.

2. How much further can the Islanders sink in the court of public opinion??

The pulling of Chris Botta's credentials are a big blow to their already diminishing appeal, but they have that kind of call. That said, they shouldn't be shocked at the revolt they are currently experiencing from fans and onlookers a like. This is a team in turmoil and the tail-spin doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon. The fans have a right to revolt and I think they should be doing much worse when it comes to supporting this team. They need to do something huge to put them in the good graces of the Long Island sports fans, but with what has happened in the recent past; it's very doubtful it'll happen any time soon.

3. Is there any way of stopping Steven Stamkos right now??

Stamkos shows that Barry Melrose really doesn't know what he's doing. This kid is showing his natural scoring talent and is playing with a team that has a lot of experience and a lot different backgrounds to help the kid deal though all sorts of obstacles thrown at him. He's a great personality for the game, but he hampered in a market that is hot and cold to hockey and won't get the mainstream press like other teams. Stamkos will shine through one way or another and could bring the Lightning back to the Cup Finals sooner rather than later.

4. The Flames seem to be doing some moving and shaking, plus rumors about Jarome Iginla won't go away-- what can we expect next??

I think the next move has to be Jay Feaster taking over the GM role if things don't change. While the Sutters seem to run this town, but when Feaster got hired this past summer as the assistant GM; you knew that the heat was going to be on Darryl Sutter to improve this team or else he'd be usurped. As it stands right now, the Flames are 14th in the West, 27th in the league, and don't seem to be ready to rebound any time soon. If Feaster doesn't get the job by the end of the year, it'll be a shock to me.

5. Mark Messier got his first taste of coaching in Europe. How long before he's in a similar position or higher in the NHL??

Messier went 2-1-1 in his games over in Europe coaching Team Canada the exhibitions, but I think the true test for him will be when he's coaching the Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland at Christmas time. As far as the NHL goes, I don't know if coaching is the right line of work, but I could see him in a front-office position over anything else. There's something about great players and coaching that doesn't usually seem to blend; but front office positions are another story. We'll see what happens in terms of the international events, but Messier will have a spot in some organization sooner rather than later after these tournaments are done.

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So that's what's up. We're done another week and if you didn't like the topics, email me to get your voice heard at Scotty.Wazz@Gmail.com therefore you can make the next F5.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Wendell Young

Last week, I mentioned THN's 100 greatest players by position and they do make a valid case, but when it comes to decorated in all of hockey, this week's AGM could be in the running. As it stands, he's the only goalie in hockey history to win the Memorial Cup in Major Juniors, Calder Cup in the AHL, Turner Cup in the IHL, and the Stanley Cup. While he might not be memorable to some, the accolades speak for themselves. This week, we look at Wendell Young.

Young's career started in Junior "A" with the Cole Harbour Colts, where the young netminder played in 25 games sporting a 3.90 GAA. When old enough, Young transitioned to the OHL with the Kitchener Rangers, where we played well behind a good enough team to be the starter at 17 in the 1980-81, getting 42 games in with a 19-15-0 record, but would truly shine in the playoffs. Young and the Rangers would roll through the OHL playoffs, as Young would go 9-1 in 14 games; leading the Rangers to the Robertson Cup and then into the Memorial Cup. In the Mem Cup, Kitchener would fall in the final to the Cornwall Royals. Because of his play, Young got drafted in the 1981 Draft by the Vancouver Canucks. With plenty of confidence, Young returned to the Rangers, getting more time in net, playing 60 games with a record of 38-17-2; setting up more domination in the playoffs with the Rangers, as Young had a 12-1 record in 15 games; setting up back-to-back Robertson Cup crowns. The Memorial Cup was a different story this time, as the Rangers beat the Sherbrooke Castors to take home the 1982 Memorial Cup.

That Memorial Cup team for the Rangers had a great roster in front of Young, including Scott Stevens, Mike Eagles, and Brian Bellows, all (sans Eagles) went to win Stanley Cups.

The 1982-83 season would see Young stick in Kitchener and dominate in the regular season once again with a 41-19-0 record in 61 games, but the Rangers would be knocked out in the second round of the playoffs, thwarting the dynasty the Rangers had.

Young would be going pro for the 1983-84 season and would get his travel money worth for that first year pro. Young would split the season between three teams in three leagues-- first with the Fredericton Express in the AHL (7-3-0 in 11 games), the Milwaukee Admirals in the IHL (4-1-1 in six games), and the bulk of it in the Central League with the Salt Lake Golden Eagles (11-6-0 in 20 games, 0-2 in four playoff games). It would settle for Young in the 1984-85 season, where he would stay with Fredericton for the season, playing behind Clint Malarchuk. Because of that, he would only get into 22 games, going 7-11-3 for the season.

Starting in the 1985-86 season, Young would be splitting between Fredericton and Vancouver, starting with Fredericton, playing 24 games going 12-8-4 before getting the call-up to Vancouver to back-up Richard Brodeur. While with Vancouver, Young would get 22 games with a 4-9-3 and getting in one game of playoff action, a losing effort. For the 1986-87 season, Young would continue his cross-country venture from Fredericton to Vancouver (almost a 3,600 mile trek, mind you), though he would spend the bulk of his time in Fredericton, playing 30 games with a 11-16-0 record, spending only eight games in Vancouver with a 1-6-1 record.

In the summer of 1987, Young would get traded from Vancouver to Philadelphia for a third round pick in the 1988 draft. While Young would get a call-up to Philadelphia for six games (3-2-0), Young would continue to ply his craft in the AHL with the Hershey Bears for the 1987-88 season, where he would have a career year. Young would play 51 games, going 33-15-1 for the regular season, but in the playoffs-- Young and the Bears would go a perfect 12-0 in route to the Calder Cup championship; beating Young's old team in Fredericton in the Finals. Young would be the 1988 Jack A. Butterfield Trophy winner for Playoff MVP, Baz Bastien Memorial Award for top goaltender, as well as first team all-star.

With his stock high, Young was traded from the Flyers to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the September of 1988 with a 7th Round choice for a 3rd round choice in the 1990 Draft. With the Penguins, Young would be the starter to begin with, but an ankle injury derailed his starting role. Despite a stop in Muskegon of the IHL (1-0-1 in two games), Young would play 22 games in Pittsburgh, going 12-9-0 for the year. For the 1989-90 season, Young would get a chance at the starter's gig again, playing in 43 games with a record of 16-20-3. However, for the 1990-91 season, Young would lose his gig to Tom Barrasso, so he would only 18 games of play in. Part of that was also coupled with a shoulder injury, but Young would go 4-6-2 in those 18 games. Though he didn't play in the playoff; Young would be along for the ride to be a member of the 1991 Penguins' Stanley Cup championship team. The 1991-92 season would see Young riding shotgun again to Barrasso, again with 18 games of play in, which also coupled with a fractured right hand late in the season. Young would go 7-6-0 in the regular season and be a part of the Stanley Cup championship team again.

Despite those things, Young was left unprotected in the 1992 Expansion Draft and holds the title of being the first ever member of the Tampa Bay Lightning. From Cup champs to a new team would be a change for Young and it showed. Young played only 31 games for the Bolts in the 1992-93 season, bothered by shoulder injuries in the process, and would go 7-19-2. Young would also play for the IHL's Atlanta Knights going 3-0-0 in his three starts. It was not a kind 1993-94 season for Young, as a shoulder injury in training camp sidelined him for 53 games. When he got healthy, Young would go 2-0-0 in his two games with Atlanta, but would play only nine games with Tampa going 2-3-1.

Before the lockout, the Bolts loaned out Young to the Chicago Wolves of the IHL for the 1994-95 season. Young would play 37 games for the Wolves that season and have a 14-11-7 record. However, the Bolts would trade Young back to the Penguins for future considerations. Young would play 10 games back with the Penguins, going 3-6-0 in what would be his last NHL action.

In the summer of 1995, Young would sign with the Wolves for some IHL action and the start of a solid relationship between the two. Young would take the starting role for the 1995-96 season, playing 61 games with a 30-20-6 record, but when the playoffs came around, Young would only go 4-5 for the Wolves. Though his games would cut down in the 1996-97 season, Young would still play well, going 25-21-4 in 53 games, but would have the Wolves bow out early again as Young would go 1-3 in four playoff games. It was different for the 1997-98 season, as Young would go 31-14-3 in 51 games, but he would finally break through the playoff slump with a 5-3 and helping to win Turner Cup with the Wolves, thus adding to his mantle. For the 1998-99 season, Young would have to share the net with former AGMs Pat Jablonski and Glenn Healy coming through, which would see him get in 35 games and a 20-10-4 record. Despite a championship, the Wolves would bow out early with Young going 4-3. Young had a bounceback year for the 1999-2000 season, getting more time in net with 48 games and sporting a 32-12-4 record and would help the Wolves in the playoffs with a 5-3 record, aiding in another Turner Cup championship for the Wolves. In what would be his last season, Young would only play 35 games in the 2000-01 season and have a 17-16-3 record, but only 2-4 record in the playoffs, were the Wolves would lose to the Orlando Solar Bears in the Turner Cup Finals.

Young would hang up the pads after the Finals, with quite the resume to follow him into his next ventures. He still leads the Wolves franchise all-time in games played (322), wins (169), saves (8,467), minutes (17,912) and shutouts (16). Young's #1 is the first ever number retired in Chicago Wolves history.

After retirement, Young would be the goalie coach for the Calgary Flames from 2001 until 2003. Young would return to the Wolves in 2004 as an assistant coach and assistant GM, until recently were he took over the role of GM for the Wolves. Young was behind the bench for the Wolves 2008 Calder Cup championship, adding to his accolades. Young also runs a goaltending school in suburban Chicago.

Though he did get his Stanley Cup titles as a back-up, Young did the rest of the work on his own for his other titles and stayed in there long enough to have the chance to get these kind of accolades. Proof that hard work and dedication can pay off if you're patient enough.

Absurd Goalie Monday: Zac Bierk

While some of these AGMs are known for having one good year or being a notable back-up or even being the first for something, this week's AGMs is known for being a part of a famous family. Granted, his brother is the most notable of the family-- his does have some very interesting linage. Of course, that didn't translate too well on the ice, but still-- this week, we profile Zac Bierk.

To get it out of the way, Bierk's family is led by his late father David Bierk who was an accomplish painter in North America, while four of his brothers went on to become artist, his sister becoming an actress, and his other brother becoming Sebastian Bach, former lead singer of the band Skid Row. Thus, to say Bierk went off the beaten path is an understatement.

Bierk's career started off with his hometown junior team, the Peterborough Petes in the OHL for the 1993-94 season. While he would only get nine games in as a back-up to Chad Lang, he got his first taste of what it'll be like on a big stage, but went 0-4-2 in those games. Bierk would see more time behind Lang in the 1994-95 season, with 35 appearances and a 12-15-5 record; including getting the bulk of the time in the playoffs, going 2-3 in six games. With Bierk's performance, he would be selected in the 9th Round by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1995 Draft. That would boost Bierk's confidence, as he would get the starting role in the 1995-96 season, which would lead to great things in his 58 games, finishing with a 31-16-6 record. Bierk also let the Petes to the OHL Championship, going 14-7 in his 22 games played. As the Petes would go to the Memorial Cup, they would get to the final, but lost to Granby of the QMJHL. In the 1996-97 season, it would be hard to top for Bierk, but he did his best; going 28-16-0 in 49 games, but went 6-5 in the playoffs, losing in the second round. Bierk would win the OHL Goaltender of the Year, Leo Lalonde Trophy for best overager, and first team OHL all-star.

With the success he had the previous year, Bierk would hope to parlay that to the pros in the 1997-98 season, heading to the Adirondack Red Wings for 12 games in the beginning of the season, going 1-6-1 before getting recalled by the Lightning in January of 1998 and would see 13 games, mostly as a replacement, going 1-4-1 for the year on the dismal Bolts team. The 1998-99 season would see Bierk in the IHL with the Cleveland Lumberjacks for the majority of the season, backing up Derek Wilkinson. Bierk would play in 27 games and come away with a 11-12-4 record, though he had a .914 save percentage for his troubles. Bierk would be recalled by Tampa and see one game of action, taking the loss. The 1999-2000 season would be up and down season for Bierk, as he would split time in both Tampa and in the IHL with the Detroit Vipers. While in Detroit, Bierk would play 15 games with a 4-8-2 record, while he would fare better in Tampa, going 4-4-1 in his 12 games there.

Though he did shoe promise, the Lightning left Bierk unprotected in the Expansion Draft and he would be picked up by the Minnesota Wild. However, Bierk would only see on game in Minnesota (a loss) and would spend the majority of the 2000-01 season with the Lumberjacks again. He would get a bulk of the games, playing 48 games and winding up with a 24-18-5 record, leading the Lumberjacks to the playoffs, but he would go 0-3 in the playoffs.

Bierk would be a free agent and get signed by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2001 off-season. It would back to the drawing board, as Bierk would wind up in the ECHL with the Augusta Lynx, getting only 30 games in due to hip surgery. Yet, in those 30 games, Bierk would go 16-9-3 and get a call-up the AHL's Springfield Falcons for a game, a loss. Bierk would bounce back and forth, racking up miles between Phoenix and Springfield (Mass.) for the 2002-03 season. While in Springfield, Bierk would go 6-4-1 in 13 games there, then going to Phoenix and compiling a 4-9-1 record in 16 games-- though the one tie is one for the books.

It was Bierk's second game with the Coyotes as he went up against the Chicago Blackhawks on January 8th, 2003. At the other end, Michael Leighton, who was in his rookie season. Both goalies played amazingly and the game would end in the 0-0 tie. It was the first time in NHL history that two goalies would record their first shutouts in the same game. Just another little AGM fun fact.

Bierk would be hampered with more hip issues, being sidelined for 50 games in the 2003-04 season due to a strained hip flexor. That would only allow him to play two games in Springfield (0-1-1) and four games in Phoenix (0-1-2) before he would hang up the pads at only at age 28.

The last known whereabouts for Bierk was the Team Shutout Goalie School in Brampton, Ontario, where he was coaching the students there.

If nothing else, Bierk took the road less traveled by the rest of his family members and did very well heading into the professional ranks. Then, he kind of got stuck with some not-so-good teams and then hampered with injuries, thus making him retire before the age of 30. Though, if nothing else, he can get into his brother's shows whenever he wants to-- so that's something.