Trivia Time

Here's a a little quiz: Can you name which NHL team used to sport this logo? The answer is here.

Courting the Other Alexander

Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis wrote in his weekly "Owner's Corner" column Friday that the Caps have filed a legal complaint against the agent for Alexander Semin.

Semin, 21, has been playing for the Russian team Lada Togliatti since the lockout began, scoring five goals and three assists in 14 games. The Caps assigned Semin to play in the American Hockey League during the lockout, but the winger instead returned to Russia. His agent argues that a military obligation keeps the Russian from returning to the United States, a charge the Capitals claim is bogus.

"As you have read, we recently filed a legal complaint against Alexander Semin’s agent," Leonsis wrote. "This is not personal; it’s business. This course of action was encouraged by our law firm and the NHL. We have a contract with Alexander, and we want his agent and Russian hockey team to honor that commitment. Hopefully we can resolve the issue this season and welcome Alex back to D.C. He is a fine young man and a budding star in our league."

Semin is regarded by many as being a "Russian diva." Though consider as having incredible talent on offense, questions abound about his defensive play, motivation and attitude. While in the States, Semin admitted to not going out of his way to learn English and was reported as saying that part of his contract stated that if he felt his playing time wasn't adequate that he could return to Russia.

Caps brass see it differently.

"We have a valid contract that is not being honoured," Capitals General Manager George McPhee said in a published report. "We've done everything possible to have the player come here. And we felt we had no choice but to take this step."

It's difficult to gauge whether the Capitals' pursuit of Semin now will be worth it in the long run. Semin's attitude seems to run contrary to the type of team Leonsis hopes to build - a blue-collar, hardworking, team-first bunch of players. This kid seems to be everything off the ice that rookie sensation and fellow Russian Alexander Ovechkin is not. Make no mistake: Semin's scoring touch would be a welcome addition to a team that seems to rely on Ovechkin to do all of the scoring.

Monday: Power Poll

This week's rankings: (Note: number in parentheses denotes last week’s ranking.)

1. Detroit Red Wings (4): In most divisions an 8-1 start would afford some breathing room, but not in the Central.

2. Nashville Predators (2): The Preds remain one of two unbeaten teams in the NHL. This team can win be it shootouts or in regulation.

3. Ottawa Senators (1): One word describes this unbeaten team: solid. Hasek has led this strong corps to a 6-0 start.

4. Vancouver Canucks (3): From top to bottom, this team has produced.

5. Montreal Canadiens (5): These Habs shoot first and ask questions later. Jose Theodore has been stellar in goal.

6. Philadelphia Flyers (17): It’s not that this team has done so much lately as the rest of the league has slipped some. Simone Gagne is poised for a breakout year.

7. Buffalo Sabres (8): Sabres’ learning to win early could pay off down the stretch when this team will be scrapping for a playoff spot.

8. New York Rangers (6): Goalie Weekes is back in net and hoping he can keep his team playing well.

9. Los Angeles Kings (9): Can Kings steal any Hollywood spotlight from the Lakers this year?

10. Toronto Maple Leafs (12): Sundin is still out but the Leafs still win.

11. Dallas Stars (10): Slow start for Pacific Division gives Stars a chance to shine.

12. Minnesota Wild (11): Gaborik is back and put up his first goal of the season vs. the Blackhawks on Sunday.

13. Carolina Hurricanes (14): Canes are having no problem finding the net thanks to plentiful power play opportunities.

14. Tampa Bay Lightning (13): Lightning doing just enough, but should be playing better.

15. New York Islanders (19): Satan, one of this year’s imports, is having a positive effect on this team.

16. Florida Panthers (7): Their play slipped a little last week, but other teams’ slides in the Southeast Division

17. New Jersey Devils (22): A 4-4 start nets this team in the middle of the pack in the Atlantic Division.

18. Calgary Flames (24): Flames’ defense improving after horrible start. Next two weeks could be telling of how good is this team really is.

19. Boston Bruins (18): Team is built to score points but needs to net more than it has to get out of Northeast Division cellar.

20. Colorado Avalanche (21): Avs can’t continue to watch other teams in the Northwest Division step over them.

21. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (20): Consistent play and having a healthy Giguere in front of the net are critical.

22. Chicago Blackhawks (28): Improving play is a good sign for this overlooked Chicago franchise.

23. San Jose Sharks (16): The Sharks start the season treading water, and that doesn’t help in a competitive Western Conference.

24. Edmonton Oilers (15): Losing the Battle of Alberta to the Flames hurts morale as well as this team’s place in the standings.

25. Atlanta Thrashers (25): Word has gotten out that this team plays dirty. Throw in some costly injuries and we’ve got a highly combustible situation in Georgia.

26. Washington Capitals (23): This team commits too many penalties, leaving goalie Kolzig bombarded by too many shots.

27. Phoenix Coyotes (27): This team needs to learn how to score more often. Perhaps Gretzky should lace ‘em up?

28. St. Louis Blues (29): Team shows no signs of improvement.

29. Pittsburgh Penguins (26): Penguins still searching for their first victory. Mario, Crosby and Co. must be getting frustrated.

30. Columbus Blue Jackets (30): Go Buckeyes!

Detroit Red Wings Pavel Datsyuk (left) and Henrik Zetterberg celebrate Datsyuk's goal Saturday night vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets./Associated Press photo

Hotlanta Needs to Cool Off

Maybe Atlanta Thrashers head coach Bob Hartley didn't get the league memo.

The "new and improved" NHL wants to be as unlike the old NHL as possible. In addition to stricter rules on obstruction, a shootout to end tie games and the trapezoid, the NHL toughened its stance on reckless physical play.

Remember the Todd Bertuzzi attack on Steve Moore in the extinct version of the league? Well it seems Hartley doesn't.

On Thursday night, Thrashers left winger Eric Boulton delivered an elbow to the skull of Tampa Bay Lightning rookie Paul Ranger. The hit happened late in the game with Atlanta trailing 6-0, in what many would consider "garbage time." There was no reason to be overly aggressive in a game that for all intents and purposes was over.

The incident is a bitter aftertaste to last week's game between the Thrashers and the Toronto Maple Leafs. In that game, Boulton's hit on concussion-prone Eric Lindros sparked a blow to the head by Thrasher Andy Sutton on Toronto's Darcy Tucker. Tucker left the game with blood dripping from his head and a wound that required 20 stitches.

Players, coaches and the media have pieced two and two together and wonder just what Hartley is instructing his players to do out on the ice. According to a report, Leafs coach Pat Quinn charged that Hartley promotes a head-hunting mentality on the bench.

There is no doubt that the Thrashers are frustrated: the team is off to a 2-5 start and sitting at the bottom of the Southeast Division standings. Atlanta has been without the services of its top two goalies and were outscored 28 goals to 17.

It's understandable that in the heat of the moment a frustration can lead to a wild punch. But following one of the darkest moments in NHL history and the unfortunate legacy Bertuzzi must carry with him for the rest of his life, there is no longer tolerance for the reckless behavior recently exhibited by Thrashers' players. At a time when the new NHL is struggling to promote its image and product, the last thing it needs is another black eye or one of its rising young stars to be injured because of a foolish act by a hockey goon.

In the new NHL, a player's conduct doesn't just impact his team but the league as a whole. Bad press cannot be tolerated when the NHL's survival is on the line. Expect fines and suspensions to be severe and swift. And maybe that starts with the man standing behind the bench.

- Associated Press photo

Sven Swenson: "On a Sven-der"

Hey der!

Thank God hockey is back. A guy can only take so much ice fishing, ya know? Not that it's bad, but it's just not da same when der's ice but no puck.

Not having the NHL on ESPN sucks though because they only show games on OLN on Monday and Tuesday nights. My Monday nights are already allocated since that's foosball night over at Lars' cabin. He has da games on but the matches get pretty heated and no one's paying attention to da tube, especially when Mookie gets all agitated over an alleged TILT call and I end up with his thumb in my eye. You could drink an ocean full of Molson and your eye still stings.

Thankfully, however, I get the Minnesota Wild games on our FOX Sports channel, so I can catch da boys whedder der in St. Paul or Phoenix.

Speaking of, why is der even hockey in Phoenix? My cousin Andrew lives up in Winnipeg, and der starving for the return of the NHL. They just built a new arena and the Moose games sell really well. He gets all misty-eyed when he recalls the Jets fans' "white outs" in the Winnipeg Arena. Phil Housley, Thomas Steen, Keith Tkachuk, Alexei Zhamnov....and da list goes on and on. Pro hockey seldom converts, and da NHL needs to realize that. Hockey NEEDS to be in places like Winnipeg and Quebec City. Heck, even put one in Saskatoon over places like Sunrise, Florida -- please!

So far I like the newer, faster, younger NHL. It's more exciting to watch den da clutch-and-grab stuff. They say defense wins championships and that probably will still hold true since it seems every team has a sniper. Mark it down: My early favorites to go all the way are da Montreal Canadiens and da Vancouver Canucks. Either way, the Cup returns to Canada where it was born.

Don't get me wrong: I'm not anti-American. But having lived in Walker, Minnesota my whole life I've gotten used to da northern way of life, and with that kind of life der is no border. We're all like moose. Der is no Canadian moose and der is no American moose. We're just mooses.

I'd like to chat more, but I got to go throw my work uniform in da dryer. They insist we wear clean uniforms to da casino, even though I end up walking through cigarette smoke for 10 hours a day and come home smelling like a mixture of Marlboro Lights and the interior of some old lady's handbag. Once I'm inside da casino it's basically dark and nobody's gonna tell if I used a Snuggle fabric sheet or not -- so who friggin cares if I happen to have some pizza sauce on my Northern Lights Casino-embroidered vest?

Til next time, eh?
Keep your eyes up and your stick down, boys.
Sven Swenson

Sven Swenson is a regular contributor to My NHL Insider.

One Hairy Situation

Here's a good one from the Fabulous Ice Babe:

A lady walks into a tattoo parlor. She's been told that the artist is the best. Being a HUGE Wayne Gretzky fan, she requests that he put Wayne's face on her right inner thigh. After an hour of work, the artist finishes and shows the lady her work.

"This doesn't look anything like Gretzky," she says.

He takes out a picture of Wayne and compares them.

"See, they look just alike."

The lady does not agree. So, the artist agrees to do Wayne on the other thigh for free.

She comes back the next day to have her left thigh done. He does the tattoo and excitingly shows to her.

"This one doesn't look like Wayne Gretzky either!"

The artist insists that this one is identical to the picture of Wayne that she brought. To solve the debate, the artist calls his friend, a huge hockey fan, over to decide. The friend comes over and the lady lifts her dress to show the tattoos.

"Hmmm, I'm not sure who the wingers are, but the center is definitely Lanny McDonald."

Around the Rink: NHL News and Notes

Oh, Henrik!

There's plenty of buzz surrounding Henrik Lundqvist, the rookie netminder for the New York Rangers, but according to NHL.com, his time in goal will be short lived once Kevin Weekes heals. Lundqvist recorded his first shutout with a 4-0 win over the Florida Panthers in a nationally televised game Monday night on OLN.

Bigger Not Always Better

When the Pittsburgh Penguins signed defenseman Sergei Gonchar in the offseason, hopes were high that the Pens would be able to snuff out potential goals. But the new, quicker NHL is proving to be difficult for large, slower defensemen such as Gonchar. The former Washington Capital has a +/- rating of -6 and just 1 assist in six games so far this season. Gonchar is in the first year of a 5-year, $25 million contract.

Playing Both Sides

The Minnesota Wild are known for their suffocating defense, and this year it's quite evident on the penalty kill. The Wild is tops in the league, snuffing out 38 of 40 power plays. What's even more striking is the fact that Jacques Lemaire's club is also No. 1 in scoring power play goals. The team has struck gold on 10 of 30 advantages.

"Guys are on the same page on every special team," Wild forward Marc Chouinard told the (Minneapolis) Star Tribune.

Wielding a Shield

Steve Shields could be lacing up his skates for the Atlanta Thrashers in the near future. The Ontario native signed with Atlanta's AHL team, the Chicago Wolves, on Monday, according to NHL.com. Shields, 33, has played for five NHL teams, most recently the Florida Panthers in 2003-04. The Thrashers are a mess in net, with their top two goalies, Kari Lehtinen and Mike Dunham suffering from groin injuries.

Is He Serious?

In his weekly NHL column, ESPN's John Buccigross stated: "(Sidney) Crosby is not horrible in his own end by any means. He's probably already better than Wayne Gretzky ever was, but he could be better." Better than Gretzy after six NHL games? C'mon, John! We know you're in love with Sid the Kid, but let's get real. Besides, The Caps' Alexander Oveckin has the early season edge for best rookie in my humble opinion.

OLN: Must-see TV

There has been a fair amount of criticism regarding the Outdoor Life Network's NHL broadcasts, from its logo that resembles the label on a can of corn, to broadcasting glitches, to poor camera angles, to the circa 1984 production set. But remember: OLN had but a few weeks to put together a twice-a-week broadcast, not several months. I think the studio work by Bill Clement and Keith Jones has been very strong. As the crew gets a few more games under its belt, things should improve. Hockey has always been blue-collar, so I have few gripes about the aesthetics of the program.

Back Off the Ice

Two big names will be taking breathers. The Ottawa Senators' Martin Havlat was suspended five games for kicking Boston's Hall Gill in the groin during a game Saturday night. (Not cool, Martin!) Detroit Red Wings icon Steve Yzerman aggravated a groin injury and just as quickly as he returned to the ice he was gone.

New York Rangers left winger Martin Straka (left) congratulates Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) after Lundqvist shut out the Florida Panthers on Monday in New York./Associated Press photo

Monday: Power Poll

This week's rankings: (Note: number in parentheses denotes last week’s ranking.)

1. Ottawa Senators (8): The Senators haven’t let early season predictions of an Eastern Conference championship trip them up, having begun the season 5-0. Dany Heatley so far has shown he is more than able to replace Marian Hossa.

2. Nashville Predators (4): The Preds are off to a 5-0 start, with a couple of shootout victories under their belts, game-winning shots by newcomer Paul Kariya.

3. Vancouver Canucks (13): The Canucks proved their resiliency by coming back to beat Minnesota on the road and then Dallas.

4. Detroit Red Wings (1): With stalwart Yzerman returning to the lineup, the Red Wings can only improve.

5. Montreal Canadiens (2): The Habs may have found a gem in rookie goalie Yann Danis, the first Canadien to post a shutout in his debut since Wayne Thomas did it in 1973.

6. New York Rangers (14): Underachievers no more? These Rangers are playing hard, and that’s resulting in some key early season wins.

7. Florida Panthers (9): Roberto Luongo is no fluke, and as long as he stays healthy the Panthers have a real shot at dethroning the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Southeast Division.

8. Buffalo Sabres (29): The reports of this team’s demise were greatly exaggerated. An abundance of good, young goaltending could prompt a trade that could help the Sabres in other areas.

9. Los Angeles Kings (6): The Kings have feasted on lesser talent so far. How good this team is will be easier to tell when it plays against hockey heavyweights.

10. Dallas Stars (17): Mike Modano is showing that he still has the Midas touch with a hockey stick in his hands.

11. Minnesota Wild (21): Surprisingly, the Wild have been able to put up offensive numbers with Marian Gaborik on IR. It will be interesting to see if his return from a groin injury will help or hurt this team’s early season chemistry.

12. Toronto Maple Leafs (23): Lindros showed last week he can still cause a defense to worry. Injured Mats Sundin (eye) will be out for a few more weeks. Can Toronto continue its strong play without him?

13. Tampa Bay Lightning (7): This team is playing well, despite a shootout loss to Washington, but is still not firing on all cylinders.

14. Carolina Hurricanes (26): Eric Staal and Rod Brind’Amour give this team a healthy dose of young and old.

15. Edmonton Oilers (5): A loss in the season’s first Battle of Alberta hurts, and this team will have plenty of battle scars before the playoffs begin. The question will be: Will the Oilers be playing in them?

16. San Jose Sharks (25): The Sharks look like a .500 team. A fast start could do wonders. A slow start could sink this fish.

17. Philadelphia Flyers (12): You’d expect better things with Peter Forsberg in the lineup. So should Flyer fans.

18. Boston Bruins (11): Joe Thornton was out for a blip but Glen Murray has been keeping the team afloat. Thornton’s health is key. Patrice Bergeron looks like the real deal.

19. New York Islanders (18): DiPietro’s health is key. This could be the goaltender’s breakout year, and that could benefit the Isles considerably.

20. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (16): Jean-Sebastien Giguere looks beatable, so the offense better overperform. Keep your eye on youngster Joffrey Lupul, who already has 4 goals and 1 assist.

21. Colorado Avalanche (19): This team is far from the powerhouse it just a few years ago, and looks more like a .500 team than a division contender.

22. New Jersey Devils (20): The Devils ranked 22nd? Is it just a slow start or the slow start to a long season? Hard to tell if this team should be defined as “experienced” or “old.”

23. Washington Capitals (24): Alexander Ovechkin has scored at least one point in each of Washington's first seven games. There is talk that the signing of Alexander Semin may not be that far away. If the defense can improve, this team may not be as bad as most think it is.

24. Calgary Flames (15): The Flames are finding wins difficult to come by – and that shouldn’t be for a team with so much talent. Goalie Miika Kiprusoff and the Flames’ defense need to improve immediately.

25. Atlanta Thrashers (3): Injuries have depleted this team from the get-go. It’s on its third-string goalie. Until the netminding returns to form, the Thrashers could continue to struggle.

26. Pittsburgh Penguins (20): The Penguins have yet to win a game, losing 4 contests in overtime. The wins will come though. Sidney Crosby is proving his worth with 2 goals and 7 assists.

27. Phoenix Coyotes (22): Coach Wayne Gretzky has already run one future hall of famer, Brett Hull, out of hockey. The Coyotes should fire him immediately. Just kidding – but it could be a longer season for The Great One than he expected.

28. Chicago Blackhawks (28): The Hawks had one of the sparsest opening night crowds of any NHL team. Those empty seats will continue to be vacant as the Blackhawks lack talent and depth.

29. St. Louis Blues (30): With the St. Louis Cardinals on the verge of playoff elimination, more eyes may be on the Blues – and that’s not a good thing.

30. Columbus Blue Jackets (27): They’re banged up with their ace Steve Nash, on injured reserve. This team is still far from playoff contention. How ‘bout them Buckeyes?

- The Ottawa Senators' Chris Neil hangs on the crossbar after scoring against the Boston Bruins on Saturday./Associated Press photo

Hull of an Ending

In a move that surprised everyone but himself, Brett Hull announced his immediate retirement Saturday just prior to the Phoenix Coyotes' game against the Detroit Red Wings, with whom Hull once won the Stanley Cup.

Hull, who also won a champtionship with the Dallas Stars in 1999, said that at 41 he just couldn't keep pace with younger players.

"I wasn't Brett Hull at 30 or 35 even. I was 41 years old and after a year and a half layoff, I didn't have what it took to play in the new game that was so exciting."

He finishes his 20-year career with 741 goals and 650 assists -- having scored the third most goals in NHL history. Hull entered the league with the Calgary Flames in 1986, followed by stints with the St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, Red Wings and Coyotes. He raised his second Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2002.

One word defines Hull's career: "winner." Hull played in nine All-Star games and was the league MVP in 1991. He also participated in the '88 and '92 Olympic Games.

"The National Hockey League will miss Brett's skill, his scoring touch and his fun-loving attitude," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman remarked in an Associated Press article. "He was a splendid athlete, a passionate player and someone who never hesitated to speak his mind.

Hull truly was one of the NHL's all-time greats, and he joins a list of recently retired players surely headed for the hall of fame, including Mark Messier, Patrick Roy and Ron Francis.

NHL Notes: Around the Rink

Kariya Clutch for Predators Early on

Even before the season started, the Nashville Predators, who have never won a playoff series, were being touted as one of the favorites to win the Western Conference this year. One of the reasons was the acquisition of LW Paul Kariya, formerly of the Colorado Avalanche. Kariya has two goals and four assists for the Predators (4-0), not counting two game-winning shootout goals. Following a subpar season with the Avs, Kariya is looking to return to being the all-star scorer he was with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He and the Preds seem to be well on their way, being one of only two undefeated teams - Ottawa is the other - remaining in the NHL. Thursday night's game was a typical affair for the Preds, besting the Phoenix Coyotes 5-4 in a shoot out. All of Nashville's wins have been by one point, as have all of Phoenix's losses.

Groin Injuries Continue to Take Toll

The Atlanta Thrashers - when everyone is healthy - is one of the most feared teams in the Eastern Conference. The problem is that they have yet to put their best players on the ice at the same time. Backup goalie Mike Dunham, the starter while Keri Lehtinen heals from a groin injury, suffered a groin injury himself earlier this week. Atlanta isn't the only team having trouble stuffing the net with a healthy goalie - the Coyotes are playing with a third-string goalie as well.

Hockey May be Hottest Where It's Coldest

Top to bottom, the Northwest Division may be the most competitive this year. The Edmonton Oilers, with the addition of Chris Pronger, have considerably upped their potential. The Vancouver Canucks are always competitive, even with their deficiencies in front of the goal, with their tenacious defense and one of the leagues better players in Markus Naslund. The Minnesota Wild, known for their defensive skills, have showed early on that they can put the puck in the net with Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Marc Chouinard having quick starts. As long as the Colorado Avalanche have Joe Sakic on the ice, they can't be counted out. And let's not forget the Western Conference champions, the Calgary Flames and their stud Jarome Iginla.

B.J. Fans Continue to Nash Their Teeth

Columbus Blue Jackets young gun Rick Nash won't be on the ice anytime soon. Nash, suffering from a high ankle sprain he suffered in the preseason, was told by doctors he will remain on the shelf for another 12-14 days, General Manager Doug MacLean told the Columbus Dispatch. The Blue Jackets sure could use him. The team is 1-3.

Did you know?

The Nashville Predators' logo, the saber-toothed tiger, came about because in the 1970s fossils of the prehistoric animal were excavated in Nashville, Tenn.

Eye on the Visor

While the National Hockey League deliberates the pros and cons of requiring players to wear visors for safety's sake, the Los Angeles Kings' players have already made their voice heard as a team.

According to Canadian Press, the team took an informal lockerroom poll and unanimously decided that the wearing of visors should be a personal decision, not a mandate.

"A lot of guys hate them. I used to hate them," Pavol Dimitra told the Los Angeles Daily News. "I almost lost my eye so I started wearing one, but I would still feel more comfortable without it."

In order for the wearing of visors to become a part of the league's rules and regulations, it must get the nod from the players' union. The Kings' dressing room vote carries no weight, but does send a message.

"If I was a GM and I was paying a guy a lot of money, I'd definitely want to make it mandatory," said Kings teammate Craig Conroy. "But as a player, I don't think anyone should be forced to wear one."

The idea to require visors isn't a new one but was brought back to the surface following an injury to the Toronto Maple Leafs' Mats Sundin, who was struck just above the left eye in his team's opening game. Sundin suffered a fractured orbital bone and will be out for 4 to 6 weeks. Sundin said that from now on he will try to wear a visor.

"Definitely when I start playing I'm going to have to wear one for sure and hopefully I can continue it," Sundin told Canadian Press. "That's my goal, for sure."

While I'm certainly one for personal choice in most cases, this is one where I can't agree with the players. Other sports require protective gear - batting helmets in baseball, for example. One would think players would want to maximize their careers, and maximizing safety would help accomplish that. A good compromise would be to grandfather the rule in: force the younger players - many who have already become accustomed to wearing them in youth hockey - to don visors while giving older players the option.

The Bad and the Ugly

Move over, Todd Bertuzzi, there's a new punk in the NHL, and his name is Sean Avery.

Edmonton Oilers forward Georges Laraque, who is black, claims that the hot-headed Avery threw a racial slur his way during a game vs. Avery's Los Angeles Kings, according to Canadian Press. The NHL said it won't punish Avery because it lacks evidence that he made the remark during the game Tuesday night.

This isn't the first time Avery has stirred the winds of controversy. The league reprimanded Avery in the preseason for his comments regarding a tough hit by Danis Gauthier on Kings teammate Jeremy Roenick. The left-handed-shooting forward was quoted as saying the hit was "typical of most French guys in our league with a visor on, running around and playing tough and not back(ing) anything up."

Speaking of Bertuzzi, a lawsuit filed against the Vancouver Canuck over his vicious attack on former Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore was thrown out of court Thursday because the judge said the case had no standing in the Rocky Mountain state.

Denver district Judge Shelley Gilman said the case should be tried in Canada instead, where the incident occurred in March 2004. Moore was punched in the head by Bertuzzi during a game between the Avalanche and Canucks and fell to the ice. Moore suffered three fractured vertebrae and a concussion, and has not played in an NHL game since. Bertuzzi was suspended and reinstated in August. Bertuzzi pleaded guilty to an assault charge and was sentenced to a year's probation and 80 hours of community service.

In other news, Bertuzzi's Canucks got taken behind the woodshed by the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night by the score of 6-0. Wild Rookie Matt Foy scored his first two NHL goals. The two teams meet again Friday night in St. Paul, Minn. These two teams have created one of the more intense rivlaries in the National Hockey League. In the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2003, the Wild came back down 3 games to 1 to beat the Canucks and advance to the Western Conference Finals.

Caps News and Notes

Masking His Real Emotions

When Washington Capitals backup goaltender Brent Johnson entered the third period Wednesday night to relieve Olaf "noodle strainer" Kolzig, something about his equipment just wasn't right. The recently acquired Johnson was wearing his goalie mask he adorned while a member of the Phoenix Coyotes. The headgear was adorned with the Coyotes logo and an airbrushed scene of the Grand Canyon. Somebody get him some bald eagle stickers!


Semin's Reputation Stained Permanently?

For some reason, Alexander Semin doesn't want to play in Washington, but soon he may have few other options. According to The Washington Times - ironic that a right-wing publication writes about a left-winger - the 2002 first-round pick of the Capitals may soon be dumped by the Russian team for which he currently plays. Lada Togliatti is facing a serious money crunch and has already fired its general manager and some coaches. Semin is the highest-paid player on the squad, and his $2 million salary might be the hand that turns the doorknob on the exit door.

Not that the Caps are chomping at the bit for him to lace 'em up at the MCI Center. Semin has spurned the team once before, refusing to play for the Capitals by citing a military obligation that the team did not believe to be true and subsequently suspended him.

Semin remains the property of the Capitals for two more seasons.

Capitals' Momentum Shredded by Hurricanes

Whatever momentum carried over from the Caps' victory over the New York Rangers on Columbus Day evaporated in the third period of the team's 7-2 trampling at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes. Washington's defensive lapses were once again exposed on the power play. The 'Canes, who were 0-16 on the man advantage before the Caps skated into town, converted on three power plays Wednesday night in Raleigh, N.C. Alexander Ovechkin once again looked like a "men among boys," as one My NHL Insider reader recently called him, scoring his fourth goal of the young season. Goalie Olaf Kolzig has looked both outstanding and decrepid so far this year, and Wednesday night he appeared the latter.

The Capitals (2-3-0) don't have much time to correct their woeful penalty killing. They return to Washington to take on Miroslav Satan and the New York Islanders (1-2-0) at the MCI Center on Thursday evening. Plenty of good seats available.

Why He's So Great

The Phoenix Coyotes are off to a less-than-stellar start this season (1-3), with just one victory under their belts. Each of their three losses were by a mere goal. Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky, arguably the best NHL player of all time, isn't used to being on the losing end of a hockey contest. How great was the rookie coach as a player? Check out these records - all owned by "The Great One":

Regular Season Records (40)

1. Most goals: 894 in 1,485 games
2. Most goals, including playoffs: 1,016 in 1,962 regular season and 260 playoff games.
3. Most goals, one season: 92 in 1981-82, 80-game schedule
4. Most goals, one season, including playoffs: 100 in 1983-84, 87 goals in 74 regular season games and 13 goals in 19 playoff games
5. Most goals, 50 games from start of season: 61 in 1981-82 (Oct. 7, 1981 to Jan. 22, 1982, 80-game schedule) and 1983-84 (Oct. 5, 1983 to Jan. 25, 1984), 80-game schedule
6. Most goals, one period: 4 (Tied with 10 other players) Feb. 18, 1981
7. Most assists: 1,962
8. Most assists, including playoffs: 2,222
9. Most assists, one season: 163 in 1985-86, 80-game schedule
10. Most assists, one season, including playoffs: 174 in 1985-86, 163 assists in 80 regular season games and 11 assists in 10 playoff games
11. Most assists, one game: 7 (tied with Billy Taylor) done three times -- Feb. 15, 1980; Dec. 11, 1985; Feb. 14, 1986
12. Most assists, one road game: 7 (tied with Billy Taylor) Dec. 11, 1985.
13. Most points: 2,856 in 1,485 games (894 goals, 1,962 assists)
14. Most points, including playoffs: 3,238 in 2,856 regular season and 382 playoff games.
15. Most points, one season: 215 in 1985-86, 80-game schedule
16. Most points, one season, including playoffs: 255 in 1984-85; 208 points in 80 regular season games and 47 points in 18 playoff games
17. Most overtime assists, career: 15
18. Most goals by a centre, career: 894
19. Most goals by a centre, one season: 92 in 1981-82, 80-game schedule
20. Most assists by a centre, career: 1,962
21. Most assists by a centre, one season: 163 in 1985-86, 80-game schedule
22. Most points by a centre, career: 2,856
23. Most points by a centre, one season: 215 in 1985-86, 80-game schedule
24. Most assists in one game by a player in his first season: 7 on Feb. 15, 1980
25. Highest goals-per-game average, one season: 1.18 in 1983-84, 87 goals in 74 games
26. Highest assists-per-game average, career (300 min.): 1.321 -- 1,962 assists in 1,485 games
27. Highest assists-per-game average, one season: 2.04 in 1985-86, 163 assists in 80 games
28. Highest points-per-game average, one season (among players with 50-or-more points): 2.77 in 1983-84, 205 points in 74 games
29. Most 40-or-more goal season: 12 in 20 seasons
30. Most consecutive 40-or-more goal season: 12 from 1979-80 to 1990-91
31. Most 50-or-more goal seasons: 9 (tied with Mike Bossy)
32. Most 60-or-more goal seasons: 5 (tied with Mike Bossy)
33. Most consecutive 60-or-more goals seasons: 4 from 1981-82 to 1984-85
34. Most 100-or-more point seasons: 15
35. Most consecutive 100-or-more point seasons: 13 from 1979-80 to 1991-92
36. Most three-or-more goal games, career: 50 -- 37 three-goal (hat trick) games; nine four-goal games; four five-goal games
37. Most three goal games, one season: 10 (done twice) in 1981-82 and 1983-84
38. Longest consecutive assist scoring streak: 23 games in 1990-91, 48 assists
39. Longest consecutive point-scoring streak: 51 Games in 1983-84 (Oct. 5, 1983 to Jan. 28, 1984, 61goals, 92 assists for 153 points)
40. Longest consecutive point-scoring streak from start of season: 51 in 1983-84; 61 goals, 92 assists for 153 points (Oct. 5, 1983 to Jan. 28, 1984)

Playoff Records (15)

1. Most playoff goals, career: 122
2. Most playoff assists, career: 260
3. Most assists, one playoff year: 31 in 1988 (19 games)
4. Most assists in one series (other than final): 14 (tied with Rick Middleton) in 1985 Conference Finals (six games vs. Chicago)
5. Most assists in final series: 10 in 1988 (four games, plus suspended game vs. Boston)
6. Most assists, one playoff game: 6 (tied with Mikko Leinonen) on April 9, 1987
7. Most assists, one playoff period: 3 -- Three assists by one player in one period of a playoff game has been recorded on 70 occasions. Gretzky has had three assists in one period five times.
8. Most points, career: 382 -- 122 goals and 260 assists
9. Most points, one playoff year: 47 in 1985 (17 goals and 30 assists in 18 games)
10. Most points in final series: 13 in 1988 three goals and 10 assists (four games plus suspended game vs. Boston, three goals)
11. Most points, one playoff period: 4 (tied with nine other players)
12. Most short-handed goals, one playoff year: 3 (tied with five other players) 1983
13. Most short-handed goals, one playoff game: 2 (tied with eight other players) April 6, 1983
14. Most game winning goals in playoffs, career: 24
15. Most three-or-more goals games (hat trick): 10 (eight three-goal games, two four-goal games)

All-Star Records (6)

1. Most All-Star game goals: 13 (in 18 games played)
2. Most All-Star game goals, one game: 4 (tied with three players) 1983 Campbell Conference
3. Most All-Star game goals, one period: 4 1983 Campbell Conference, third period
4. Most All-Star game assists, career: 12 (tied with four players)
5. Most All-Star game points, career: 25 (13 goals, 12 assists in 18 games)
6. Most All-Star game points, one period: 4 (tied with Mike Gartner and Adam Oates) 1983 Campbell Conference, third period (four goals)

-Information from Wikipedia

At Least They Didn't Swipe His Underwear

Sidney Crosby might want to keep a closer eye on his luggage. A US Airways spokesman said today that a jersey worn by the No. 1 draft pick during his first NHL game had been found two days after having been reported stolen from his bag.

The shirt was found wrapped in plastic at the bottom of a stairway used to load suitcases onto planes at Pittsburgh International Airport. Crosby's father, who had accompanied him from Pittsburgh to Buffalo, N.Y., for the Penguins' tilt with the Sabres, noticed that one of Crosby's two bags was partially unzipped and the sweater missing when he picked it up at baggage claim.

"Someone saw my name on that [claim tag]," Crosby was reported by the Associated Press as saying. "They took a look inside and hit the jackpot."

This wasn't the first time a valuable jersey of Crosby's was removed from his belongings. In January, his Canadian national team sweater was stolen by a baggage handler.

You Might be a Puckhead if ...

Vigilant My NHL Insider reader and recently converted hockey disciple Stephanie (who from here on out shall be called the "Fabulous Ice Babe") offers the following she stole from some Web site (suckaz!) ...

Suggestions To Make The National Hockey League More Interesting

1. Goalies only allowed to stop pucks with teeth
2. Enforcers allowed to equip with police baton
3. Scorers must answer skill testing question before goal counts
4. Make biting legal again
5. Winning team gets to shoot losing team's stick boy
6. Forwards must balance raw egg on helmet in offensive zone
7. Install 10-foot pits of acid near face-off circles
8. Blindfolded penalty shots
9. Use explosive pucks in third period
10. Allow branding of opposing team's logo onto players who get misconduct penalties

When the Groin Gets Tough

Of interesting note is the number of NHL players suffering from groin injuries. Players including Wild player Marian Gaborik; Bruin right-winger Dave Scatchard; Red Wings Stevie Yzerman, Chris Osgood and Jamie Rivers; Panther Gary Roberts; Canadien Richard Zednik; Predator Scott Nichol; Coyotes Derek Morris, Brian Boucher and Petr Nedved; Blues winger Keith Tkachuk; Canuck Tyler Bouck; and Thrashers' netminder Kari Lehtinen have all spent considerable time away from the rink because of a bum groin.

There are a few possible explanations. One: many players have had significant downtime during the NHL lockout, opting not to play while others laced up their skates in the minor leagues or overseas. Players aren't used to playing regularly and that could lead to more frequent injuries. Two: the rule changes have made the game faster. Two-line passes - once verboten - now stretch offenses and defenses. Players have to react faster, with or without the puck, and sharp accelerations and cuts by wingers make it easier to pull a muscle. Goalies, too, must react more quickly. In last night's Penguins-Sabres game, Pens goalie Marc-Andre Fleury looked like an acrobat, putting on a stellar display of twists, turns and flips to keep the puck out of the net. Doing such maneuvers more frequently can only mean a greater chance of injury for goalies. Teams with strong backup netminders could be at an advantage in the new NHL.

It Must be the Mask

How is the new NHL like Jason Voorhies from the horror flick series "Friday the 13th?" It seems downright impossible to kill a team's chances of coming back. So far this year, 11 teams have come back from deficits with less than five minutes remaining in the third period. Last year?? Only two. The new rules, designed to increase scoring, so far are working, and that means a more exciting game for fans. Before this season, a team with a 2-goal lead late in the game was a sure winner. Not anymore.

Make your own "Jason Voorhies" drink:
Ingredients: 2 oz. of vanilla-flavored vodka; a splash of club soda; 3 oz. of whipped cream; root beer.
Mixing instructions: In a highball glass, layer whipped cream first, then the vodka, then the root beer. When done layering, try and center the club soda into the root beer without upsetting the liquors. -- drinknation.com

Monday: Power Poll

This week's rankings:

1. Detroit Red Wings: They're old, sure, but they know how to win. Datsyuk and Lang add scoring punch to the Yoda-esque Yzerman.

2. Montreal Canadiens: They're off to a fast start, with a victory over the rival Maple Leafs under their belts.

3. Atlanta Thrashers: Strong offensively -- and that was before signing Ilya Kovalchuk. The addition of Peter Bondra has already shown dividends. If Kari Lehtonen can get back on the ice following his groin injury, this team will be tough to beat.

4. Nashville Predators: Adding veteran Paul Kariya adds a wealth of knowledge to a young team waiting for Daymond Langkow to step up and be the star everyone in Music City hopes he will be.

5. Edmonton Oilers: This surprising start could flame out quickly with Ryan Smyth going down indefinitely with an injury.

6. Los Angeles Kings: Look out Clippers! You're now the third best team to play at Staples Center. The addition of the attention-grabbing Jeremy Roenick (the NHL's version of Terrell Owens) definitely makes the Kings worth watching.

7. Tampa Bay Lightning: You can't count out the champs, even without former goalie Nikolai Khabibulun. This team can score whenever, wherever with Brad Richards, Vinny Lecavalier and mighty midget Martin St. Louis.

8. Ottawa Senators: Sens fans will wait to see if the Dany Heatly/Marian Hossa trade was the right move for management to make. But Heatly, Jason Speeza and a steady defense already makes Ottawa a contender.

9. Florida Panthers: It's been a decade since this team was in the Stanley Cup Finals, but the road looks brighter (maybe it's the Miami sun?) for this team with arguably the best goalie in the NHL in Roberto Luongo (He sounds like he should be a character on "Miami Vice.") and veterans Joe Nieuwendyk and Gary Roberts.

10. New Jersey Devils: This team remains solid but continues to get older. Netminder Martin Brodeur continues to be a top-tier goalie, but this team faces salary cap problems and don't be surprised if it has to dump some significant names soon.

11. Boston Bruins: With all-star Joe Thornton, this club is a scoring threat but always seems to underachieve. Could this be the year to reverse the curse? (Oops, wrong Boston team.)

12. Philadelphia Flyers: This team has been off to a shaky start, but expect that to change soon. Peter Forsberg, Simon Gagne and Michael Handzus should put the scare into any goalie. Expect better things from the Broad Street Bombers.

13. Vancouver Canucks: Todd Bertuzzi is back -- for better or worse -- and that should help the 'Nucks' offense to complement their stellar D.

14. New York Rangers: Like the Bruins, this team seems to disappoint despite considerable talent. This team will score points with a healthy Jaromir Jagr. The real test will be in goal, where Kevin Weekes will have to come through for this team to have a chance.

15. Calgary Flames: The Flames hope to pick up where they left off when they lost the deciding game of the Stanley Cup Finals two years ago. Jarome Iginla is one of the top players in the league but this team has come out of the gate slow. Goalie Miika Kiprusoff must produce consistently.

16. Mighty Ducks of Anaheim: If goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere can return to his stellar form when the Quackers made the Stanley Cup Finals three years ago, then this team has nothing but upside.

17. Dallas Stars: Last year, Mike Modano suffered offensively. If that happens again then this team will be branded as "old." Marty Turco remains one of the better goalies in the league.

18. New York Islanders: My apologies to the Creator, but maybe a little Satan isn't a bad thing. That is, the additon of Miroslav Satan, whom the Islanders hope bolsters their offense.

19. Colorado Avalanche: The loss of Peter Forsberg is huge, and this team still hasn't found a suitable replacement for the retired Patrick Roy in goal. Joe Sakic can still be "da man," but this team lacks firepower, especially with Milan Hedjuk hurt.

20. Pittsburgh Penguins: If Mario Lemieux can stay healthy -- and that's a BIG if -- then the Pens could find much success this season. Sidney Crosby couldn't have asked for a better place to start his NHL career.

21. Minnesota Wild: Critics question this team's ability to find success in the new, faster NHL. If its defense and strong goaltending can continue then the Wild could surprise its Northwest Division rivals, but don't expect Minnesota to win any high-scoring slugfests.

22. Phoenix Coyotes: Coach Wayne Gretzky picked up his first win Saturday when his team defeated the Minnesota Wild. With Ladislav Nagy back from a stint on the IR and winger Shane Doan, this team will improve, albeit slowly.

23. Toronto Maple Leafs: Adding Eric Lindros shows this team is borderline desperate for offense. Mats Sundin's eye injury only makes a bad team worse.

24. Washington Capitals: Alexander Ovechkin is the real deal, having scored at least one point in each of Washington's first four games. That being said, the Caps have given up more goals than any team in the league and allows too many power play opportunities for its opponents.

25. San Jose Sharks: Goalie Evgeni Nabokov keeps this team solid in goal, but the rest of the team is unproven. Johnathon Cheechoo needs to live up to expectations.

26. Carolina Hurricanes: This team has a future star in Eric Staal but little else going for it. Tell me, why is this team playing in North Carolina?

27. Columbus Blue Jackets: Rick Nash is a young star, no doubt, but there isn't much talent around him. This team's strength is its defense, and that's not saying much.

28. Chicago Blackhawks: It's a shame that such a large city has had to put up with such a sorry team for so long. Adding goalie Nikolai Khabibulun was a start, but where is the offense?

29. Buffalo Sabres: A small-market team with small-market talent.

30. St. Louis Blues: St. Louis fans are feeling the blues losing Chris Pronger to Edmonton and having an overweight Keith Tkachuk. At least the Cardinals can distract Missouri sports fans for a little while longer.

The Eyes and Ears of Hockey

Looking for pro hockey on TV or the Internet? Here are a few options.

Television:
Games are aired on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN) on cable on Monday and Tuesday evenings. www.olntv.com. This week features Pittsburgh's rookie sensation Sidney Crosby in a game Monday night (10/10) and the Gretzky-coached Coyotes on Tuesday night (10/11).

Internet:
You can listen to any game on www.nhl.com. Click on "Scores" on the left-hand side of the homepage. Then click on "Listen" next to the game of your choice. Oftentimes you can listen to the radio broadcast of either team.

If you have a PC, visit http://www.comcast.net/sports/
Comcast is streaming select games for a limited time. In fact, tonight the Minnesota Wild vs. Los Angeles Kings game is airing. Go Wild!

Let's Play Hockey!!!

News and Notes

The Great First One

Congratulations to The Great One for his first NHL win as Phoenix Coyotes coach Saturday at home against the Minnesota Wild.

"To get my first ... it's nice," Gretzky said of his initial NHL coaching victory. "Scotty Bowman's record (1,244 wins) is pretty safe."

Quote of the Week

We think New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur was talking about the puck or perhaps he spent Saturday night at Scores in Manhattan.

``It was probably between my legs,'' Brodeur said. ``I don't think it was in my lap. I never had it.''

Ovechkin? You betcha

The spotlight might be on Pittsburgh Penguins phenom Sid "The Kid" Crosby, but don't be shocked if he doesn't end up with this year's Calder Trophy. Washington's Alexander Ovechkin is off to a fast start with two goals and two assists in three games for the Capitals (1-2). Crosby has one goal and four assists but is surrounded with much greater talent.

Welcome back

Caps' castoff Peter Bondra, Washington's all-time leading scorer, showed the Capitals he still has some gas in the tank. Bondra tallied three goals and three assists in two back-to-back victories for the Atlanta Thrashers on Friday and Saturday.

Don't sweat it

The NHL prior to the season ordered new sweaters for the goalies designed to fit tighter and made of a slicker material. The jerseys look similar to those of soccer goalies. NHL keepers, though, continue to wear their regular sweaters as the new ones have been slow to arrive. The NHL hopes the new jerseys will make it more difficult to stop pucks.

The Jekyl and Hyde Caps

The first two games of the NHL season for the Washington Capitals unveiled the dichotomy of this year's team. In the first tilt of the year against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Caps showed that selecting Alexander Ovechkin with the first pick in the 2004 draft was a smart move. The rookie scored twice in the victory. But Friday night's loss to the Atlanta Thrashers also exposed the team's major weakness: defense. If the Caps can't keep themselves out of the penalty box, it's going to be a long night for Olie the Goalie, and a long season for Caps fans. Ovechkin could be the next Mario, but if this team keeps giving up seven goals a game it simply won't matter.

Welcome to My NHL Insider

Friends and strangers:

Welcome to My NHL Insider. As an NHL addict (The first step to recovery is admittance, you know...) I decided to create this blog. My hope is that it becomes a place to throw out NHL issues and create dialogue. As a native Minnesotan and current Washington, D.C., area resident, there likely will be more Wild and Capitals discussion than other teams, but I'll try and keep all teams in mind, I promise. ;)

And with that....