The Definitive NHL 2012-2013 Season Thread

[Sohel]

Tough double OT loss for the Pens. I thought they had the right plan for once but couldn't beat Boston in their own game. Couldn't catch a break either. Another season is about to end in disappointment for the Pens, their fans and the city of Pittsburgh. We've been there since 2009 ourselves. Didn't think sweep at any point in time until now. Time for serious change.

[Beamer]

That goes to show you that even when you play the right way, the way to play in 'playoffs', there are still no guarantee of a victory. It was too little too late to start playing hockey. The pond hockey games that we played in G 1 and 2 are just too much to overcome. Only honorable thing to do is try playing the same way and see if you can force a G 5. Bruins are a much better TEAM. Rask is a great goalie in the making ( unless he is there already ). I give full marks to Bruins and their team defense and commitment to defense.

[Sohel]

BTW, our Griffins defeated Oklahoma City in dramatic fashion last night and advanced to the AHL's Calder Cup Finals. The finals will be streamed free of charge at ahllive.com.

2013 Calder Cup Finals - Best of Seven

Game 1 – Sat., June 8 – Grand Rapids at Syracuse, 7:00
Game 2 – Sun., June 9 – Grand Rapids at Syracuse, 6:00
Game 3 – Wed., June 12 – Syracuse at Grand Rapids, 7:00
Game 4 – Fri., June 14 – Syracuse at Grand Rapids, 7:00
*Game 5 – Sat., June 15 – Syracuse at Grand Rapids, 7:00
*Game 6 – Tue., June 18 – Grand Rapids at Syracuse, 7:00
*Game 7 – Thu., June 20 – Grand Rapids at Syracuse, 7:00

RedWingsCentral's Matthew Wuest has offered up his end-of-the-season ranking of the Wings' top prospects. Among them:-

1. Calle Jarnkrok (–), C, Brynas (SEL), 53-13-29-42, minus-2, 136 shots.

Jarnkrok was one of the best players in the Swedish Elite League but he didn’t produce much during a nine-game AHL stint or in 10 games with Sweden at the IIHF world championship. Regardless, he’ll have a chance at an NHL job in the fall if he gets stronger in the off-season.

2. Petr Mrazek (–), G, Grand Rapids (AHL), 42 GP, 2.33 GAA, .916 Sv%.

3. Tomas Tatar (–), LW, Grand Rapids (AHL), 61-23-26-49, plus-8, 205 shots.

Tatar has put in four solid seasons on the farm and has shown well in his NHL call-ups. His passion and energy along with his hands and offensive skills should make him a key cog in Detroit for years to come. No longer waiver-exempt, he’ll be on Detroit’s roster in 2013-14.

4. Tomas Jurco (–), RW, Grand Rapids (AHL), 74-14-14-28, plus-6, 119 shots.

Ignored in The Hockey News’s top-10 team ranking, Jurco came into his own late in the season — 14 points in his final 22 games — despite being one of the AHL’s youngest players and has been absolutely clutch in the playoffs. He has star potential and could be a top AHL scorer next season.

5. Riley Sheahan (-1), C, Grand Rapids (AHL), 72-16-20-36, plus-5, 115 shots.

He hit a late-season wall, but that’s to be expected after years of 40-game seasons at Notre Dame. All things considered, it’s been a solid AHL rookie season for Sheahan on the ice. He needs more seasoning, but he’s the type of big, strong two-way center that is hard to come by in the NHL.

6. Ryan Sproul (-1), D, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL), 50-20-46-66, even.

Despite breaking his arm and missing six weeks early in the season, Sproul led OHL defenseman in points and was named the CHL’s defenseman of the year. It’s hard not to get excited about a 6-foot-4 power-play quarterback, and he’ll strut his stuff in the AHL next season.

7. Mattias Backman (+1), D, Linkoping (SEL), 52-2-24-26, plus-5, 67 shots.

He’s already averaging 20 minutes a night in the Swedish Elite League and among the country’s top defense scorers. He’ll stay overseas for one more year, and if he continues to develop, there’s no telling how soon he could crack the Red Wings lineup.

8. Xavier Ouellet (-1), D, B.-Boisbriand (QMJHL), 50-10-31-41, plus-14, 166 shots.

Ouellet has been the best and most complete defenseman in the QMJHL for two seasons and made a good impression with a strong performance for Canada at the 2013 IIHF world junior championship. Ouellet is ready for his next challenge in the AHL with Grand Rapids.

9. Landon Ferraro (–), C, Grand Rapids (AHL), 72-24-23-47, plus-6, 156 shots.

Ferraro’s development is on a similar track as Cory Emmerton’s. That means he’s on course to crack the Red Wings lineup in 2014-15 when his waiver exemption runs out. In the meantime, the two-way speedster will return to Grand Rapids in 2013-14 and fine-tune his game.

10. Martin Frk (+2), RW, Halifax (QMJHL), 56-35-49-84, plus-31, 180 shots.

Frk had a dream season after his nightmarish draft year. He’s a hard-shooting winger whose foot-speed, discipline and defensive play have been heavily criticized. He faces the daunting task of establishing himself on a deep Grand Rapids roster as an AHL rookie next season.

11. Teemu Pulkkinen (+1), RW, Jokerit (FIN), 59-14-20-34, plus-5, 260 shots.

He had an up-and-down season in the Finnish SM-Liiga before coming to Grand Rapids and earning a lineup spot in his first North American stint. He’s a talented sniper with a shoot-first mentality, but he’ll have to prove he’s not one-dimensional in his first full AHL season in 2013-14.

12. Andreas Athanasiou (+5), LW, Barrie (OHL), 66-29-38-67, plus-13.

Slowly but surely, Athanasiou has found the swagger that had many touting him as a potential top-15 pick a year before the 2012 draft. The blazing fast winger tied for fifth in OHL playoff scoring and is starting to look like a fourth-round steal. He’ll return to the OHL in 2013-14.

13. Nick Jensen (+7), D, St. Cloud State (NCAA), 42-4-27-31, plus-19, 76 shots.

Jensen was unfairly knocked down in RWC’s mid-season ranking and his leap up the list is the correction of a wrong. Long a favorite of RWC, Jensen capped his college career in style and has the skating and physical maturity to make a smooth transition to the AHL in 2013-14.

14. Alexei Marchenko (+1), D, CSKA Moscow (KHL), 44-4-5-9, minus-3, 46 shots.

Seven spots separate Marchenko from Mattias Backman, but eventually, he might be just as good. After signing with the Red Wings, the mobile two-way, right-shooting puck-mover will likely step right into the Grand Rapids lineup as an AHL rookie next season.

15. Adam Almquist (+1), D, Grand Rapids (AHL), 68-10-21-31, plus-13, 93 shots.

A supremely smart and skilled power-play quarterback, Almquist lacks the size and mobility of the five blueliners ranked ahead of him, yet might be the closest to an NHL call-up. If he can emerge as a top-10 defense scorer in the AHL next season, the Red Wings might have something.

16. Jake Paterson (-2), G, Saginaw (OHL), 25-18-5, 3.53 GAA, .901 Sv%.

Despite playing on one of the weaker teams in the OHL, Paterson had a good season and showed enough to win the third-string job on Canada’s world junior team. Expect an even better OHL season in 2013-14 as he continues to progress toward a contract with the Red Wings.

17. Jared Coreau (NR), G, Northern Michigan (NCAA), 15-19-4, 2.70 GAA, .919 Sv%.

Considered by many as the NCAA’s top free-agent goalie, Coreau’s signing bolstered the Red Wings’ goaltending depth. He could be earmarked for an ECHL starting role or, depending on what becomes of former first-rounder Thomas McCollum, an AHL backup gig.

18. Mitchell Callahan (NR), RW, Grand Rapids (AHL), 71-11-9-20, minus-3, 136 shots.

Callahan did everything that could have been asked of him as an AHL sophomore, establishing himself as a regular in Grand Rapids with his grit and energy and chipping in with timely offense. He has a chance at a grind-line type NHL role similar to Jordin Tootoo.

19. Marek Tvrdon (-1), LW, Vancouver (WHL), 18-8-14-22, plus-2.

Tvrdon has now lost the better part of two of the past three seasons with injuries and it’s stunted his development. Similar to Tomas Jurco with his combination of size and skill, Tvrdon will turn pro next season and might benefit from a big ECHL role in Toledo.

20. Louis-Marc Aubry (NR), C, Grand Rapids (AHL), 64-4-8-12, minus-2, 80 shots.

Aubry actually had more goals, assists, points and shots as an AHL rookie than he had as a sophomore. There’s plenty to like about the 6-foot-4 center, but he’ll need to elevate himself beyond an AHL supporting role next season to have a chance at the NHL.

21. Max Nicastro (NR), D, Grand Rapids (AHL), 25-1-2-3, even, 18 shots.

It wasn’t easy to get a read on Nicastro as an AHL rookie. Although he’s big — listed at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds — he couldn’t establish himself in the Grand Rapids lineup as an AHL rookie. Now 23 years old, the clock is starting to tick on his NHL chances.

22. Trevor Parkes (NR), RW, Grand Rapids (AHL), 36-3-6-9, plus-5, 43 shots.

The gritty Parkes is another grind-line type who is a cut behind Mitchell Callahan. He struggled to stay in the AHL lineup with Grand Rapids but lit up the ECHL during his second-half stints with Toledo. He’ll likely have a full-time AHL job next season and could surprise.

23. Richard Nedomlel (NR), D, Swift Current (WHL), 72-7-21-28, minus-13.

The Red Wings don’t have many prospects in their system like this 6-foot-5, 231-pound behemoth. A Czech who relishes physical contact and hitting, Nedomlel is a defensive-minded blueliner who will look to establish himself in the AHL with Grand Rapids next season.

24. Ben Marshall (NR), D, Minnesota (NCAA), 40-8-11-19, plus-8, 73 shots.

After emerging as a top-four defenseman and power-play quarterback for one of the NCAA’s top teams in the second half, all signs point toward a breakout campaign for Marshall in 2013-14. He’s a small but gifted offensive defenseman who is worth keeping an eye on.

25. James De Haas (NR), D, Penticton (BCHL), 53-5-19-24.

A real long-term project, the mobile, 6-foot-4 De Haas quietly put together a good season at the junior A level with Penticton. But the real test comes next season, when he’ll suit up for Clarkson and show the Red Wings what he can do at the bigger, faster NCAA level.

GRADUATED: Brian Lashoff, Gustav Nyquist

DEPARTED: Alan Quine, Philippe Hudon

[Sohel]

Great and I mean GREAT road win for Chicago. This win has finally convinced me that they have what it takes to win the Cup again this year. They played with belief throughout the game despite the suspension of Duncan Keith and solid play from LA's big guys, especially Carter. They came back twice and Crawford made a couple of HUGE saves to keep his team in the game. Then Hossa scored to put them ahead for the first time in the game, and Chicago dominated from that point on. LA had NO chance to tie it after that, and they ain't coming back down 1-3 even if Quick steals the next game in Chicago.

[Beamer]

Yes, Chicago does have that look of a champion team again. No Keith, yet they played stellar on defense. What can you say about Hossa? Guy is such a great player. I have nothing but utmost admiration for him as a player.

Congrats to the Griffins. Syracuse beat us easily in conf finals.

Season on the line tonight for the Pens. Just do everything to try to win one game. Nothing more, nothing else. All other off season moves, issues, goalies, coaches- everything a mute point. Win tonight, and its mute for two more days. Lose, and floodgates will open. Lots heads will roll.

[Leafs PWN]

So the Bruins go from 2 minutes to first round elimination to the SCF. As much as I despise them, you've gotta like the run they're on.

[Beamer]

Congrats to Bruins for playing an exceptionally great series. They never let us do anything that we are good at doing. A first class plan by their coach which was executed brilliantly. I can spend entire day talking about what went wrong. There were just too many. It was a collective failure. Stars didn't show up. Defenders didn't defend well. Grinders didn't grind. Coaches got outcoached. Shero did nothing but collect big names which actually slowed us down. So, blame all around. Team will be blown up. New coach perhaps. New goalie perhaps. Cap comes down a lot next year and we have seven UFA's with Malkin and Letang UFA next year. So, lots of new faces next year. I hope we start to get younger and let the young guys play in the system which Bylsma didn't encourage. His system is garbage in playoffs. Anyway..I would say Go Bruins for cup. They really showed us what a great team can do. Best of luck to them.

[Beamer]

Originally Posted by Leafs PWN
So the Bruins go from 2 minutes to first round elimination to the SCF. As much as I despise them, you've gotta like the run they're on.

Thats how it goes ! Look at Hawks. They were down 3-1 to Wings and look where they are now. Galvanizing moment for Bruins vs TO.

[Zeeshan]

lol ekhon sohel nai ei thred ta bimar chalau

[AsifTheManRahman]

Originally Posted by Leafs PWN
So the Bruins go from 2 minutes to first round elimination to the SCF. As much as I despise them, you've gotta like the run they're on.

I think most of Canada despises them. The Senators have reason to, the Canadiens have reason to. Of course, the reason lies in their own incompetence.

Now the Pens fans have a reason too.

Go chica go!

[Beamer]

We don't despise them like Flyers. But, they are surely a big rival in East like Rangers and Caps. Boston and Pittsburgh have a long sports rivalry history, so Bruins are automatically a rival because of that. But, this Bruins team, I have a ton of respect for. Don't like them, obviously, but do not despise them. Only Flyers, New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens - I have pathological hatred for..

A lot of things will happen within next 48 hrs for Pens. Shero didn't speak to the media yet. Tomorrow is the day we will find out if Bylsma is canned. With the cap going down this summer, we have our works cut out for. Gotta get cheaper and younger real quick. This was our opportunity this year which we blew. I don't think Pens will be a big contender the next two years, but surely would take the no.6-8 seed going in to playoffs. This will be a very young and inexperienced team that needs a new coach. Almost all of third and fourth line members will be new.

[Maysun]

How come, no one is updating this thread?

Hawks win 6-5 in OT.. Series tied 2-2!

[Beamer]

Because all our teams are out ..lol. We only got a handful of NHL fans to begin with. A great game last night. One of the best finals game I have ever seen.

[Ajfar]

Link

[Maysun]

Hawks lead the series 3-2 after a 3-1 win

[Maysun]

UNBELIEVABLE! Those final ~90secs for the Blackhawks!

[AsifTheManRahman]

Predictable, but still, thank God it wasn't the Bruins.

[Zeeshan]

Whadda a game!!

[Beamer]

Congrats to Chicago Blackhawks. Worthy champions. Best team in regular season, best team in playoffs, President trophy winner and the Stanley Cup winner. Toews has established himself as one of the best, if not the best captain in hockey. He is clutch. Lets remember that after winning in 2010, Chicago was in cap hell, and basically traded or got rid of players like- Big Buff, Andrew Ladd, Troy Brower, Kris Versteeg, Niemi, Brent Sopel, Tomas Kopecky while retaining their core. Well, in two years they have won again with new suppliment of players in Shaw, Bickell, Boland etc. All the kudos to Coach Q, GM Stan Bowman, and the main man Scotty Bowman, who won his 13th cup. Congrats once again Chicago. You have shown the league how to win in post salary cap era. You keep core players and surround them with your own draft picks that develop in the system, and not go for high prized free agents or getting a bunch of new players at the deadline.

That said, the year is finished. Now we have draft and free agency in next week. After that, this thread will be closed and we will start a new thread for next season. As per tradition, Sohel will start the new thread ( That's the incentive for him to come back : ))))

[Leafs PWN]

Good off season by my Leafs. Nonnis cleared out some of the trash, and got some proven winners to help the inexperienced kids. It will be quite interesting to see how the goaltending situation plays out, as I think Bernier is a more talented goalie than Reimer. Wouldn't be surprised if he steals the starting spot by all star break.

Clarkson brings a great mix of sandpaper and scoring to our lineup that we've been missing since Tucker's glory days. He produced in Jersey with 2 talented line mates in back to back years, so there's no reason to think he won't do the same here with Kadri and Lupul. I'm expecting 20+ goals, 45+ pts, 150+ hits and 100+ PIM's from him.

Detroit made some great moves in free agency this year. Weiss @ 4.9 is a steal. He is a proven scorer with an excellent 2-way game. Alfy is still a good 2nd liner who brings in a wealth of leadership and experience to the lineup. The forward core is looking great for next year!

Ottawa got a good deal on Bobby Ryan. Anytime you see a player like that move with 2 or more years on their contract, you expect the receiving team to give up one elite prospect/young player. While Silfverberg is good, I don't he's in that elite prospect category. I thought Lehner would be a must for the Ducks. They did pretty well though given the fact that Bobby Ryan didn't really wanna stay in Anahiem.

[Maysun]

^ Hope, Bozak repays the faith shown in him!

[Leafs PWN]

Good contract for Kadri.

Horrible contract for Cleary.

[Leafs PWN]

Looks like the Cleary contract I was talking about was a rumour (w Flyers for 2 years, 2.75 per with NTC). Fair deal with the Wings.

According to Bobby Mac, Tim Thomas is gonna sign a PTO with the Panthers today. Strange choice for him. I thought him and the Flyers were a lock (was expecting them to clear out cap space if need be).

[Beamer]

Welcome back Bros..

[Leafs PWN]

You too

Mayson Raymond signs with Leafs for 1 Yr, 1M. Raymond and Ranger signings were excellent moves by Nonis. For the price we paid, there is a SIGNIFICANT chance of those contracts being steals.

This mean Franson is done with the Leafs. Serves him right for asking for too much money. We should get some good value for him now, since last year was his breakout year. I would deal him to a team for an A grade C prospect or 1st 2014. Rielly, Gardiner, Ranger will make him an afterthought for us.

Brunner signs with the Devils. That surprised nobody