Hockey Now is excited to be affiliated with Sportsnet Connected for the upcoming season. Throughout the season, Sportsnet’s regional analysts will contribute their expertise as it relates to all the latest hockey news. With the the 2009/10 NHL regular season fast approaching, our first Sportsnet feature looks at the off-season moves of the Canucks, Flames, Oilers, Leafs, and Sens.
By Sportsnet Connected Staff /
Calgary Flames: D gets major upgrade
As host of the Flames broadcasts for Rogers Sportsnet, Roger Millions knows the Calgary team inside and out. In this exclusive interview for Hockey Now, Millions explains why the Flames appear to head into the season with a new fire.
“New head coach Brent Sutter has a successful pedigree and will inject some new coaching techniques and change what has appeared to be a stagnating approach the last number of seasons.”
Millions believes Sutter’s approach will be a dedication to the defence. Combining free agent signee Jay Bouwmeester along with veterans Dion Phaneuf and Robyn Regehr, they should have the best blue line presence in the game.
Millions also focused on the offensive side of the Flames team led by captain and former MVP Jarome Iginla.
“Last season, Iginla was inconsistent; he played in over 30 games without a point. His goal production was down, but he may well be energized by the addition of Sutter and his intense pride should help him avenge last season’s performance and help lead the Flames back to Stanley Cup glory.”
Edmonton Oilers: ‘Bulin Wall set to Debut
With a group of young, talented forwards up front, the Edmonton Oilers focused on solidifying their goaltending situation by signing Nikolai Khabibulin who backstopped the Tampa Bay Lightning to a Stanley Cup in 2004.
Although mired by the failed attempt to trade for Dany Heatley from the Ottawa Senators, Sportsnet Connected reporter Gene Principe gives the Oilers an ‘A’ for effort and an ‘A-’ for results.
“If you go by resume and age, the Oilers upgraded in net by signing Khabibulin,” said Principe.
“Had the Oilers addressed their need for a scoring first-line winger by acquiring Heatley, it would have made for a great off-season and an ‘A+’ because they would have addressed the team’s two main trouble spots.”
Principe adds that the hiring of new head coach Pat Quinn will give the Oilers a much-needed new voice from behind the bench. Quinn, the fourth winningest NHL coach of all-time, should be able to re-energize the play of Sam Gagner and Andrew Cogliano.
Vancouver Canucks: Twins stay put
Rogers Sportsnet analyst John Garrett didn’t hesitate when asked how he would grade the Vancouver Canucks off-season.
“They get a B+ for bringing back Henrik and Daniel Sedin,” said the former NHL goaltender.
“They re-signed them for a reasonable price at $6.1 Million a year for five years. The twins are very durable, which you have to take into consideration along with their offensive scoring.”
Henrik and Daniel tied for the team-lead in points with 82 last year. Henrik has only missed 10 games over an eight-year career, while twin brother Daniel has missed 14 over the same time frame.
“I expect they will be reunited with Mikael Samuelsson, who they played with on the Swedish national team,” said Garrett, referring to the former Detroit Red Wing who was acquired earlier this summer.
Besides Samuelsson, the Canucks also signed goaltender Andrew Raycroft and resigned Kyle Wellwood. Vancouver lost veteran defenceman Mattias Ohlund to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Ottawa Senators: Heatley saga drags on
Covering the Senators 365 days a year, there is no bigger expert to talk about the upcoming season for Ottawa than Rogers Sportsnet reporter Ian Mendes.
First on Mendes’ mind was the soap opera that dominated the off-season for the Sens, the Dany Heatley saga.
“Heatley has essentially handcuffed GM Bryan Murray with his trade demand. If Heatley doesn’t return, Ottawa will have to figure out a way to replace his production.”
Mendes looks to coach Cory Clouston to help steer the ship away from such distractions, and in the right direction after missing the playoffs last season.
“Clouston took over the reigns of the Senators in early February and guided the club to the second-best record in the conference the rest of the way. He now has to prove it over a full season and put the Sens back into the playoffs.
Mendes does see optimism for the Senators franchise starting between the pipes with goaltender Pascal Leclaire as well as the additions of free-agent-winger Alex Kovalev and rookie defenseman Erik Karlsson.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Burke retools Buds
After missing the playoffs for the fourth straight season, Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke decided it was time to change the direction of the club this summer.
Burke’s vision of toughing up the lineup began with shipping former Leafs defenceman Pavel Kubina to Atlanta for Garnet Exelby, along with signing blueliners Mike Komisarek and Francois Beauchemin. Burke also added enforcer Colton Orr from the New York Rangers. In addition, Toronto signed Swedish goaltender Jonas Gustavsson, who is said to be the best goalie not playing in North America.
Rogers Sportsnet Hockeycentral analyst Doug MacLean supports Burke’s activity in the off-season. “I really like what Burke did in signing Gustavsson because of his potential,” said MacLean. “They also retooled their blueline and will be much tougher to play against. For all their efforts in the off-season, they certainly deserve a B+ grade.”
As for making the playoffs this season, MacLean believes it all comes down to goaltending. “Vesa Toskala must regain his form in order for them to win. But, the challenge will be making up the 87 points they traded away in Nik Antropov and Dominic Moore. If they can get balanced scoring, they will be in the thick of the playoff race.”
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