Holidays Greetings from DropPuckMurphy.com and the DropPuckMurphy studios! My apologies for not posting an entry in so long and for not posting a lengthy one now but been and am still quite busy as I cover pre-Winter Classic and the Bruins/NHL for NHL.com and NESN.com.
For all my latest scribblings and video please go to NHL.com and NESN.com. You can also listen to the latest editions of the Inside Hockey Radio Show here.
When the Winter Classic madness is over, I will be sure to share my experiences with you (including interviewing Bobby Orr on the benches of the Fenway Park rink) and write a better entry. But for now I wanted to thank all of my family, friends, colleagues and of course my readers for all your support this past year. Without any of you, I would not be writing this blog or anything else I write!
As I sit here listening to my favorite Christmas Eve song, with my family downstairs wrapping gifts and getting ready for Christmas at the Murphy abode, I want to wish all of you and yours a Happy Holidays!
Sláinte!
Murph
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Inside Hockey Radio Show December 19 MP3's
Merry Christmas! Joyeux Noel! Nollaig shona dhuit!
Peter Chiarelli, the GM of the Boston Bruins joined me yesterday to talk some Bruins and Winter Classic. Alyonka Larionov of Pens TV Online and daughter of Hall of Famer Igor Larionov came on to discuss the latest Penguins news and also her new Holiday song "That's What Christmas Means To Me."
I then welcomed on Inside Hockey Radio Show regular Conor McKenna of The Team 990 to discuss the current Habs squad, some NHL news and the upcoming World Junior Championships. Shawn Roarke of NHL.com joined me as well to talk about Winter Classic coverage at the league website and the Olympics. And last but not least, I finished things off by going "Toe to Toe" with Toddy Carroll to close out the show.
Here's the MP3's!
Sláinte!
Murph
Peter Chiarelli, the GM of the Boston Bruins joined me yesterday to talk some Bruins and Winter Classic. Alyonka Larionov of Pens TV Online and daughter of Hall of Famer Igor Larionov came on to discuss the latest Penguins news and also her new Holiday song "That's What Christmas Means To Me."
I then welcomed on Inside Hockey Radio Show regular Conor McKenna of The Team 990 to discuss the current Habs squad, some NHL news and the upcoming World Junior Championships. Shawn Roarke of NHL.com joined me as well to talk about Winter Classic coverage at the league website and the Olympics. And last but not least, I finished things off by going "Toe to Toe" with Toddy Carroll to close out the show.
Here's the MP3's!
Sláinte!
Murph
Friday, December 18, 2009
A Surreal Visit With Bobby Orr on the Ice at Fenway Park
Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel! Nollaig shona dhuit!
This is my latest piece on NESN.com:
Friday was one of those days when, as a hockey reporter, I’m reminded just how lucky I am to be doing what I do. In the future, when I look back on my career, I’ll immediately think of the day I saw the first skate at Fenway.
Unfortunately, in our business, we often lose the fan in us. We lose sight of how blessed we are to walk among legends and talk puck with people every hockey fan would only dream of saying hello to. But the fan in me came back in a hurry on Friday morning as I stepped onto the benches of the newly-constructed Fenway Park rink.
As I pushed my way through a scrum of photographers to the boards, there in front of me -- on skates and on two artificial knees -- was the man my father and late grandfather forever raved about. He is the man who is immortalized in time flying over the ice after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime to win the 1970 Stanley Cup for the Bruins. He is the man that revolutionized not only the game of hockey but the hockey scene in Boston, prompting the city to build all those MDC rinks that still stand today.
He is the greatest hockey player of them all, Robert Gordon Orr.
“I never imagined I’d be standing out here, no, never,” Orr told the awe-struck media. “This is kind of surreal. You look around and you’re in a baseball park, Fenway Park. Then you look down and you’re on ice. Really unique, that’s for sure.”
Yeah, Bobby, I guess that described the numbness I was feeling -- and it wasn’t caused by the frigid temperatures. “Surreal” was basically how I felt the entire time I stood on that bench on Friday, listening to and then interviewing Orr, and later watching him and Terry O’Reilly guide another legend, Milt Schmidt, on the ice. It was surreal to watch him play and joke with the Somerville youth hockey team that was skating with Orr and the numerous Bruins alumni out there.
"They don't know who we are," Orr jokingly said of the kids. "The parents do, I'm sure, but it's great to see them out there with us. It's really special for them and us. That's what it's all about."
Orr did not overlook the significance of taking the ice once again with his own former teammates.
"Pretty good hockey team out here, not bad," he said of his Bruins bretheren. "Little slow, but we still got it. Being with all these guys is always nice because we don't see each other enough, and to do it here was amazing."
Eight year-old Nicky Merkel was asked if he realized that he just skated around the Fenway Park ice rink with the man that most New England hockey fans consider the second coming of God.
“He’s the first in our house; we’re recovering Catholics,” his mother Belinda Gaskill said with a proud smile.
Merkel apparently forgot his hat on this cold December morning, but guess who made sure he found one and kept one? Yep, Bobby Orr, the man who made sure hockey fans in the 1960’s and 1970’s witnessed magic every time he stepped on the ice -- and he always remembered the less fortunate, taking part in numerous charity events throughout his career and even today.
I texted my father a photo of Orr and myself on the Fenway ice, and he replied, "The best player and role model of my time."
Nicky Merkel will look back one day and tell his kids of this day -- as will I -- but something tells me even his kids will be in awe. We will always be in awe of No. 4, and that’s just a feeling I will never lose, no mattter what my job is.
Thanks for another great memory, Bobby Orr.
This is my latest piece on NESN.com:
Friday was one of those days when, as a hockey reporter, I’m reminded just how lucky I am to be doing what I do. In the future, when I look back on my career, I’ll immediately think of the day I saw the first skate at Fenway.
Unfortunately, in our business, we often lose the fan in us. We lose sight of how blessed we are to walk among legends and talk puck with people every hockey fan would only dream of saying hello to. But the fan in me came back in a hurry on Friday morning as I stepped onto the benches of the newly-constructed Fenway Park rink.
As I pushed my way through a scrum of photographers to the boards, there in front of me -- on skates and on two artificial knees -- was the man my father and late grandfather forever raved about. He is the man who is immortalized in time flying over the ice after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime to win the 1970 Stanley Cup for the Bruins. He is the man that revolutionized not only the game of hockey but the hockey scene in Boston, prompting the city to build all those MDC rinks that still stand today.
He is the greatest hockey player of them all, Robert Gordon Orr.
“I never imagined I’d be standing out here, no, never,” Orr told the awe-struck media. “This is kind of surreal. You look around and you’re in a baseball park, Fenway Park. Then you look down and you’re on ice. Really unique, that’s for sure.”
Yeah, Bobby, I guess that described the numbness I was feeling -- and it wasn’t caused by the frigid temperatures. “Surreal” was basically how I felt the entire time I stood on that bench on Friday, listening to and then interviewing Orr, and later watching him and Terry O’Reilly guide another legend, Milt Schmidt, on the ice. It was surreal to watch him play and joke with the Somerville youth hockey team that was skating with Orr and the numerous Bruins alumni out there.
"They don't know who we are," Orr jokingly said of the kids. "The parents do, I'm sure, but it's great to see them out there with us. It's really special for them and us. That's what it's all about."
Orr did not overlook the significance of taking the ice once again with his own former teammates.
"Pretty good hockey team out here, not bad," he said of his Bruins bretheren. "Little slow, but we still got it. Being with all these guys is always nice because we don't see each other enough, and to do it here was amazing."
Eight year-old Nicky Merkel was asked if he realized that he just skated around the Fenway Park ice rink with the man that most New England hockey fans consider the second coming of God.
“He’s the first in our house; we’re recovering Catholics,” his mother Belinda Gaskill said with a proud smile.
Merkel apparently forgot his hat on this cold December morning, but guess who made sure he found one and kept one? Yep, Bobby Orr, the man who made sure hockey fans in the 1960’s and 1970’s witnessed magic every time he stepped on the ice -- and he always remembered the less fortunate, taking part in numerous charity events throughout his career and even today.
I texted my father a photo of Orr and myself on the Fenway ice, and he replied, "The best player and role model of my time."
Nicky Merkel will look back one day and tell his kids of this day -- as will I -- but something tells me even his kids will be in awe. We will always be in awe of No. 4, and that’s just a feeling I will never lose, no mattter what my job is.
Thanks for another great memory, Bobby Orr.
Inside Hockey Radio Show December 19
Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel! Nollaig shona dhuit!
Join James Murphy and Toddy Carroll for the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com this and every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com). Featuring notable hockey personalities as guests each week, Murph and Toddy get you inside the latest info and buzz around the rinks of the NHL, AHL, NCAA and Junior Hockey.
We've got a great show in store for you this week. Peter Chiarelli, the GM of the Boston Bruins will join us to talk some Bruins and Winter Classic. Alyonka Larionov of Pens TV Online and daughter of Hall of Famer Igor Larionov will come on to discuss the latest Penguins news and also her new Holiday song "That's What Christmas Means To Me."
We will then welcome on Inside Hockey Radio Show regular Conor McKenna of The Team 990 to discuss the current Habs squad and some NHL news. Shawn Roarke of NHL.com joins us as well to talk about Winter Classic coverage at the league website and last but not least, we'll finish things off by going "Toe to Toe" with Toddy Carroll to close out the show.
So be sure to get Inside Hockey this and every Saturday, 2-4 p.m. on NHL Home Ice XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. on the Team 990 in Montreal on the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com. Also for last week's and previous shows, check out our archive at InsideHockey.com/radio.
Join James Murphy and Toddy Carroll for the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com this and every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com). Featuring notable hockey personalities as guests each week, Murph and Toddy get you inside the latest info and buzz around the rinks of the NHL, AHL, NCAA and Junior Hockey.
We've got a great show in store for you this week. Peter Chiarelli, the GM of the Boston Bruins will join us to talk some Bruins and Winter Classic. Alyonka Larionov of Pens TV Online and daughter of Hall of Famer Igor Larionov will come on to discuss the latest Penguins news and also her new Holiday song "That's What Christmas Means To Me."
We will then welcome on Inside Hockey Radio Show regular Conor McKenna of The Team 990 to discuss the current Habs squad and some NHL news. Shawn Roarke of NHL.com joins us as well to talk about Winter Classic coverage at the league website and last but not least, we'll finish things off by going "Toe to Toe" with Toddy Carroll to close out the show.
So be sure to get Inside Hockey this and every Saturday, 2-4 p.m. on NHL Home Ice XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. on the Team 990 in Montreal on the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com. Also for last week's and previous shows, check out our archive at InsideHockey.com/radio.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Inside Hockey Radio Show December 12/December 5 MP3's
Hello, Bonjour & Hóigh!
Join James Murphy and Toddy Carroll for the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com this and every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com). Featuring notable hockey personalities as guests each week, Murph and Toddy get you inside the latest info and buzz around the rinks of the NHL, AHL, NCAA and Junior Hockey.
We're happy to welcome back Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com as an in studio guest host for the second straight week. Joe, who covers the Bruins and the NHL regularly for CSNNE.com hosted with Murph up in Montreal at the Team 990 studio last week and you can find the MP3 segments for that show (that included Hall Of Fame hockey scribe Russ Conway and future Hall of Fame hockey scribe Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette) below.
This week we're glad to welcome on as feature guests, USA World Junior Championships head coach and the bench boss of Nebraska-Omaha, Dean Blais and also Brian Fox, the artist that will paint the 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic commeratitive mural.
We will then welcome on Inside Hockey Radio Show regular Conor McKenna of The Team 990 to discuss the current Habs squad and discuss some NHL news, we'll get the Campus Buzz from Bob Snow of NHL.com. And last but not least, we'll finish things off by going "Toe to Toe" with Toddy Carroll to close out the show.
So be sure to get Inside Hockey this and every Saturday, 2-4 p.m. on NHL Home Ice XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. on the Team 990 in Montreal on the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com. Also for last week's and previous shows, check out our archive at InsideHockey.com/radio.
Here are the MP3's of the December 5 show, which included plenty of talk surrounding the Montreal Canadiens' Centennial celebration December 4 and lots of trips down memory lane. We also had some great college hockey talk with Bob Snow as well. So be sure to give a listen!
Happy Holidays!
Sláinte!
Murph
Inside Hockey radio Show December 5
Murph and Joe Haggerty
Murph, Joe, and Pat Hickey (Montreal Gazette)
Murph, Joe and Bob Snow (NHL.com)
Murph, Joe and Russ Conway (Hall of Fame hockey writer)
Murph, Joe and Conor McKenna (Team 990)
Murph and Joe
Join James Murphy and Toddy Carroll for the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com this and every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com). Featuring notable hockey personalities as guests each week, Murph and Toddy get you inside the latest info and buzz around the rinks of the NHL, AHL, NCAA and Junior Hockey.
We're happy to welcome back Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com as an in studio guest host for the second straight week. Joe, who covers the Bruins and the NHL regularly for CSNNE.com hosted with Murph up in Montreal at the Team 990 studio last week and you can find the MP3 segments for that show (that included Hall Of Fame hockey scribe Russ Conway and future Hall of Fame hockey scribe Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette) below.
This week we're glad to welcome on as feature guests, USA World Junior Championships head coach and the bench boss of Nebraska-Omaha, Dean Blais and also Brian Fox, the artist that will paint the 2010 Bridgestone Winter Classic commeratitive mural.
We will then welcome on Inside Hockey Radio Show regular Conor McKenna of The Team 990 to discuss the current Habs squad and discuss some NHL news, we'll get the Campus Buzz from Bob Snow of NHL.com. And last but not least, we'll finish things off by going "Toe to Toe" with Toddy Carroll to close out the show.
So be sure to get Inside Hockey this and every Saturday, 2-4 p.m. on NHL Home Ice XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. on the Team 990 in Montreal on the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com. Also for last week's and previous shows, check out our archive at InsideHockey.com/radio.
Here are the MP3's of the December 5 show, which included plenty of talk surrounding the Montreal Canadiens' Centennial celebration December 4 and lots of trips down memory lane. We also had some great college hockey talk with Bob Snow as well. So be sure to give a listen!
Happy Holidays!
Sláinte!
Murph
Inside Hockey radio Show December 5
Murph and Joe Haggerty
Murph, Joe, and Pat Hickey (Montreal Gazette)
Murph, Joe and Bob Snow (NHL.com)
Murph, Joe and Russ Conway (Hall of Fame hockey writer)
Murph, Joe and Conor McKenna (Team 990)
Murph and Joe
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Thomas Moving On From Bad Start; My Take On The Last Week Of Bruins Hockey And The Marc Savard Deal
Hello, Bonjour & Hóigh!
Off to TD Garden in a bit for the Bruins game day skate and Marc Savard presser but here's my latest at NESN.com. The more I cover Tim Thomas, the more respect I have for this guy. Crowd turned on him the other night but he takes it like a man and moves on. He's always been proving doubters wrong and he'll do it again! Here's some reaction from Tim, to the "Bronx cheers" he heard Saturday night.
Also, here's my latest Sportsdesk clip. Cole Wright cranking out a new nickname for Tuukka Rask!
Have a great Day and don't forget to check NESN.com for my Bruins-Lightning preview and Live Bruins Blog tonight.
Sláinte!
Murph
Off to TD Garden in a bit for the Bruins game day skate and Marc Savard presser but here's my latest at NESN.com. The more I cover Tim Thomas, the more respect I have for this guy. Crowd turned on him the other night but he takes it like a man and moves on. He's always been proving doubters wrong and he'll do it again! Here's some reaction from Tim, to the "Bronx cheers" he heard Saturday night.
Also, here's my latest Sportsdesk clip. Cole Wright cranking out a new nickname for Tuukka Rask!
Have a great Day and don't forget to check NESN.com for my Bruins-Lightning preview and Live Bruins Blog tonight.
Sláinte!
Murph
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Savard and Chiarelli put the Bruins in a good spot
The seven-year extension for Marc Savard is an excellent deal on paper for both Savard and the Black and Gold. By locking Savard up, the Bruins avoid letting their top center go to the free-agent market next July, where he would have garnered more. Savard is one of the premiere playmakers in the game, and his return from a month off with a broken left foot and the Bruins' coinciding resurgence have proven his worth to the team.
Both general manager Peter Chiarelli and Savard deserve a ton of credit for getting such a cap-friendly deal done midseason and not allowing it to distract Savard’s play on the ice or letting it hang over their heads as July 1 and free agency approached.
There is no doubt that Savard took a discount here, and Chiarelli once again proved to be a shrewd and aggressive GM. He has now avoided three major free-agent dilemmas by resigning potential restricted free agents Milan Lucic and Tuukka Rask earlier this season and now a potential unrestricted free agent in Savard.
In the Bruins' case, they can't afford much more than this with their cap hit at $46 million next season, and the likes of Mark Recchi (UFA), Steve Begin (UFA), Shawn Thornton (UFA), Derek Morris (UFA), Andrew Ference (UFA) and Johnny Boychuk (RFA) all up for new contracts. With the cap expected to go down, the Bruins will most likely still have to wave goodbye to one or more of those impending free agents, but now they have their No. 1 center locked in for seven years.
The Bruins have now secured the center position until at least the 2011-12 season. Patrice Bergeron has one year remaining, and David Krejci, who re-upped as a restricted free agent over the summer, still has two years. If they can remain healthy, that's a pretty strong 1-2-3 punch for the remainder of this season and the next, allowing Chiarelli to focus on other areas with the remaining money. There will be $13.6 million will be locked up in centers.
The Bruins also look to be strong on defense for at least another season with both captain Zdeno Chara (one year remaining at $7.5 million) and Dennis Wideman (two years at $4 and 4.5 million respectively) still in the mix. Chances are, Chara is next on Chiarelli's to-do list as far as re-signing players go.
Between the pipes, Tim Thomas is locked in until the 2013-14 season and Rask just recently signed a deal that will keep him here until at least 2012-13.
So with some contracts coming off the books next season and Savard’s new contract providing some flexibility, the Bruins may finally be able to address their biggest deficiency right now: scoring.
Expect the Bruins to be linked to Savard’s former teammate, Thrashers sniper and impending free agent Ilya Kovalchuk. Sources tell NESN.com though that he is very close to signing a mega nine- to 10-year deal that could pay him upwards of $9 million per season.
If the Bruins are to keep Chara and Bergeron after next season, then it’s highly unlikely they can commit that term and salary to any player. But that doesn’t mean Kovalchuk or another scorer can’t be brought in as a rental at the trade deadline.
Both general manager Peter Chiarelli and Savard deserve a ton of credit for getting such a cap-friendly deal done midseason and not allowing it to distract Savard’s play on the ice or letting it hang over their heads as July 1 and free agency approached.
There is no doubt that Savard took a discount here, and Chiarelli once again proved to be a shrewd and aggressive GM. He has now avoided three major free-agent dilemmas by resigning potential restricted free agents Milan Lucic and Tuukka Rask earlier this season and now a potential unrestricted free agent in Savard.
In the Bruins' case, they can't afford much more than this with their cap hit at $46 million next season, and the likes of Mark Recchi (UFA), Steve Begin (UFA), Shawn Thornton (UFA), Derek Morris (UFA), Andrew Ference (UFA) and Johnny Boychuk (RFA) all up for new contracts. With the cap expected to go down, the Bruins will most likely still have to wave goodbye to one or more of those impending free agents, but now they have their No. 1 center locked in for seven years.
The Bruins have now secured the center position until at least the 2011-12 season. Patrice Bergeron has one year remaining, and David Krejci, who re-upped as a restricted free agent over the summer, still has two years. If they can remain healthy, that's a pretty strong 1-2-3 punch for the remainder of this season and the next, allowing Chiarelli to focus on other areas with the remaining money. There will be $13.6 million will be locked up in centers.
The Bruins also look to be strong on defense for at least another season with both captain Zdeno Chara (one year remaining at $7.5 million) and Dennis Wideman (two years at $4 and 4.5 million respectively) still in the mix. Chances are, Chara is next on Chiarelli's to-do list as far as re-signing players go.
Between the pipes, Tim Thomas is locked in until the 2013-14 season and Rask just recently signed a deal that will keep him here until at least 2012-13.
So with some contracts coming off the books next season and Savard’s new contract providing some flexibility, the Bruins may finally be able to address their biggest deficiency right now: scoring.
Expect the Bruins to be linked to Savard’s former teammate, Thrashers sniper and impending free agent Ilya Kovalchuk. Sources tell NESN.com though that he is very close to signing a mega nine- to 10-year deal that could pay him upwards of $9 million per season.
If the Bruins are to keep Chara and Bergeron after next season, then it’s highly unlikely they can commit that term and salary to any player. But that doesn’t mean Kovalchuk or another scorer can’t be brought in as a rental at the trade deadline.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Should your best player be blocking shots?
Hello, Bonjour & Hóigh!
Patrice Bergeron suffered an apparent leg injury in the first period of Saturday night's 4-3 shootout win over the Senators. He was helped off the ice, missed a few shifts but eventually came back and played the remainder of the game. Word today from Bruins practice was that he would be in the lineup Wednesday when the Bruins host the Lightning.
But if the injury had been worse -- and it looked as if it might be -- some critics were questioning that maybe head coach Claude Julien shouldn't have the Bruins' best player on the penalty kill blocking shots. Huh? Then what's the point of having a player like Bergeron that can play in all situations? Think the Red Wings debate putting Henrik Zetterberg or Pavel Datsyuk out on the penalty kill or thought about asking Steve Yzerman to do tha same? Or the Avalanche with Joe Sakic or Peter Forsberg?
Unfortunately yes, injuries happen in hockey and blocking shots has became an integral part of defense in today's game but maybe protection is needed. Not sitting your best player or penalty killer.
But many, including my good friend and colleague Joe Haggerty, of CSNNE.com whom I agree with on most points, think maybe Julien needs to avoid having Bergeron out there in such situations and blocking shots.
The ever-controversial and well-watched Don Cherry did just that on his most recent "Coach's Corner" segment on Hockey Night In Canada.
“How many times have I said, don’t have your stars blocking shots and killing penalties?" Cherry asked co-host Ron MacLean as they went over the highlight of Bergeron's injury. "Mike Milbury said at the start [of the show] that he’s their best player. Look at him. That’s their best player and they’d already lost Marc Savard -- their first-best player -- blocking shots. The Bruins have got the guy killing penalties and blocking shots. How stupid can you be, and that’s coach of the year, Claude Julien? He could have had a broken foot. You never have your stars killing penalties.”
Chances are that Julien heard about or watched Cherry's critique, and when asked by a reporter after practice Monday if he felt "lucky" that Bergeron wasn't going to miss any games, Julien immediately pointed out that blocked shots are part of the game.
“It is what it is, guys. It’s the game of hockey, where there are a lot of shots taken," Julien said. "A lot of shots blocked in this game today. That’s what most teams do. You just have to look at the sheet at the end of the night. The amount of blocked shots in this game is unbelievable. I don’t think he intended to block the shot that way. He slipped and when he tried to regain his balance that’s when he got hit. It wasn’t a matter of recklessness. It was just an unfortunate situation.
"Anytime you’ve got a player back that wasn’t seriously injured, it’s a fortunate thing in this game today," Julien added. "There are tons of injuries around the league. Broken feet and other things seem to be common these days.”
Defenseman Dennis Wideman said pretty much the same thing and credited Bergeron for his willingness to block shots and play so many roles.
“When he blocked a shot and he doesn’t get up it makes us worried,” said Wideman. “But you need your best players doing stuff like that, and "Bergie" is a guy that does that on a night-in, night-out basis. He blocks shots, he hits, he scores, he works hard. Those are the guys that win.”
I'd have to agree with Julien and Wideman. Right now Bergeron is too valuable to not have him out there. He is playing the best hockey of his career and limiting what he can or not do or bring to the team, would hurt his momentum and subsequently the team. Hopefully protective equipment is introduced soon and players start wearing it, but until then, if you have a player like Bergeron that can do anything you ask him to, let him do it!
Sláinte!
Murph
Patrice Bergeron suffered an apparent leg injury in the first period of Saturday night's 4-3 shootout win over the Senators. He was helped off the ice, missed a few shifts but eventually came back and played the remainder of the game. Word today from Bruins practice was that he would be in the lineup Wednesday when the Bruins host the Lightning.
But if the injury had been worse -- and it looked as if it might be -- some critics were questioning that maybe head coach Claude Julien shouldn't have the Bruins' best player on the penalty kill blocking shots. Huh? Then what's the point of having a player like Bergeron that can play in all situations? Think the Red Wings debate putting Henrik Zetterberg or Pavel Datsyuk out on the penalty kill or thought about asking Steve Yzerman to do tha same? Or the Avalanche with Joe Sakic or Peter Forsberg?
Unfortunately yes, injuries happen in hockey and blocking shots has became an integral part of defense in today's game but maybe protection is needed. Not sitting your best player or penalty killer.
But many, including my good friend and colleague Joe Haggerty, of CSNNE.com whom I agree with on most points, think maybe Julien needs to avoid having Bergeron out there in such situations and blocking shots.
The ever-controversial and well-watched Don Cherry did just that on his most recent "Coach's Corner" segment on Hockey Night In Canada.
“How many times have I said, don’t have your stars blocking shots and killing penalties?" Cherry asked co-host Ron MacLean as they went over the highlight of Bergeron's injury. "Mike Milbury said at the start [of the show] that he’s their best player. Look at him. That’s their best player and they’d already lost Marc Savard -- their first-best player -- blocking shots. The Bruins have got the guy killing penalties and blocking shots. How stupid can you be, and that’s coach of the year, Claude Julien? He could have had a broken foot. You never have your stars killing penalties.”
Chances are that Julien heard about or watched Cherry's critique, and when asked by a reporter after practice Monday if he felt "lucky" that Bergeron wasn't going to miss any games, Julien immediately pointed out that blocked shots are part of the game.
“It is what it is, guys. It’s the game of hockey, where there are a lot of shots taken," Julien said. "A lot of shots blocked in this game today. That’s what most teams do. You just have to look at the sheet at the end of the night. The amount of blocked shots in this game is unbelievable. I don’t think he intended to block the shot that way. He slipped and when he tried to regain his balance that’s when he got hit. It wasn’t a matter of recklessness. It was just an unfortunate situation.
"Anytime you’ve got a player back that wasn’t seriously injured, it’s a fortunate thing in this game today," Julien added. "There are tons of injuries around the league. Broken feet and other things seem to be common these days.”
Defenseman Dennis Wideman said pretty much the same thing and credited Bergeron for his willingness to block shots and play so many roles.
“When he blocked a shot and he doesn’t get up it makes us worried,” said Wideman. “But you need your best players doing stuff like that, and "Bergie" is a guy that does that on a night-in, night-out basis. He blocks shots, he hits, he scores, he works hard. Those are the guys that win.”
I'd have to agree with Julien and Wideman. Right now Bergeron is too valuable to not have him out there. He is playing the best hockey of his career and limiting what he can or not do or bring to the team, would hurt his momentum and subsequently the team. Hopefully protective equipment is introduced soon and players start wearing it, but until then, if you have a player like Bergeron that can do anything you ask him to, let him do it!
Sláinte!
Murph
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Bruins Fans Better Than This (Thomas Gets "Bronx Cheer"; "USA USA" not necessary)
Hello, Bonjour & Hóigh!
During the 2008 playoffs, Montreal fans viciously booed the Star Spangled Banner prior to a playoff game between the Bruins and Canadiens. When the series shifted back to Boston, the Bruins fans in attendance reacted with class and grace, cheering throughout and singing “O’ Canada".
But for some reason when the Bruins play one of the six Canadian NHL clubs, a usually small but sometimes big, faction of fans at TD Garden seem to believe chanting “U-S-A” will spur their team onto victory.
Such was the case sporadically during the Bruins-Senators game. Apparently, this group of fans never took the time to checkout the current Bruins roster on the team website, where 15 of the 24 players listed are Canadian. The head coach and GM are Canadian. So why the “U-S-A” chant? It makes no sense!
By no means is it as offensive as the booing of a national anthem, but Bruins fans already showed they’re better than that and this scribe believes they’re more original as well. If they did their research, they easily could have come up with a chant directed at the overrated Senators center Jason Spezza, who has only one goal in 10 games. Or maybe Ottawa defenseman Matt Carkner, who got into two fights the last time the two teams met.
But while the “U-S-A” chant was simply annoying and unoriginal, the booing and the “Bronx cheer” that reigned down on Thomas in the first period, when he let in a soft goal on the second shot he faced in two weeks was classless and is either the result of ignorance or a very short memory. Have these fans guilty of this act forgotten what Thomas has done and meant to this team over the last two seasons? Or are they simply bandwagon fans that don’t even know?
If their memory doesn’t work well enough, let’s just travel back to last season when he won the Vezina Trophy (best goaltender for those that don’t know the NHL, but consider themselves Bruins fans). Thomas stole plenty of games for the Bruins en route to a 36-11-7 record with a 2.10 GAA and .933 save percentage. He was also 7-4 with a 1.85 GAA and .935 save percentage in the playoffs, helping the Bruins reach the second round for the first time since 1999.
The “what have you done lately” mentality is understandable if the season is halfway done, but just past the quarter mark? Thomas has not been that bad at 6-6-3 with a 2.36 GAA and .915 save percentage. He self-admittedly had a bad game Saturday but he came through in the shootout.
"Those things are going to happen," Wideman said when asked about Thomas’ tough night Saturday in which he let in a soft goal with 19 seconds left, allowing the game to go to overtime. "But how many times has Timmy bailed us out? Unfortunately when the goalie has a bad night, there’s no one to bail him out. Timmy got the job done in the shootout and he’s got it done for us so many times before."
Bruins fans should remember that as well.
Sláinte!
Murph
During the 2008 playoffs, Montreal fans viciously booed the Star Spangled Banner prior to a playoff game between the Bruins and Canadiens. When the series shifted back to Boston, the Bruins fans in attendance reacted with class and grace, cheering throughout and singing “O’ Canada".
But for some reason when the Bruins play one of the six Canadian NHL clubs, a usually small but sometimes big, faction of fans at TD Garden seem to believe chanting “U-S-A” will spur their team onto victory.
Such was the case sporadically during the Bruins-Senators game. Apparently, this group of fans never took the time to checkout the current Bruins roster on the team website, where 15 of the 24 players listed are Canadian. The head coach and GM are Canadian. So why the “U-S-A” chant? It makes no sense!
By no means is it as offensive as the booing of a national anthem, but Bruins fans already showed they’re better than that and this scribe believes they’re more original as well. If they did their research, they easily could have come up with a chant directed at the overrated Senators center Jason Spezza, who has only one goal in 10 games. Or maybe Ottawa defenseman Matt Carkner, who got into two fights the last time the two teams met.
But while the “U-S-A” chant was simply annoying and unoriginal, the booing and the “Bronx cheer” that reigned down on Thomas in the first period, when he let in a soft goal on the second shot he faced in two weeks was classless and is either the result of ignorance or a very short memory. Have these fans guilty of this act forgotten what Thomas has done and meant to this team over the last two seasons? Or are they simply bandwagon fans that don’t even know?
If their memory doesn’t work well enough, let’s just travel back to last season when he won the Vezina Trophy (best goaltender for those that don’t know the NHL, but consider themselves Bruins fans). Thomas stole plenty of games for the Bruins en route to a 36-11-7 record with a 2.10 GAA and .933 save percentage. He was also 7-4 with a 1.85 GAA and .935 save percentage in the playoffs, helping the Bruins reach the second round for the first time since 1999.
The “what have you done lately” mentality is understandable if the season is halfway done, but just past the quarter mark? Thomas has not been that bad at 6-6-3 with a 2.36 GAA and .915 save percentage. He self-admittedly had a bad game Saturday but he came through in the shootout.
"Those things are going to happen," Wideman said when asked about Thomas’ tough night Saturday in which he let in a soft goal with 19 seconds left, allowing the game to go to overtime. "But how many times has Timmy bailed us out? Unfortunately when the goalie has a bad night, there’s no one to bail him out. Timmy got the job done in the shootout and he’s got it done for us so many times before."
Bruins fans should remember that as well.
Sláinte!
Murph
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Inside Hockey Radio Show November 28 (Featuring Michel Goulet and Jerry York)
INSIDE HOCKEY RADIO SHOW
by James Murphy
Join James Murphy and Toddy Carroll for the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com this and every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com). Featuring notable hockey personalities as guests each week, Murph and Toddy get you inside the latest info and buzz around the rinks of the NHL, AHL, NCAA and Junior Hockey.
We've got a great show in store this week, with Toddy joining me in the studio. We will welcome on NHL Hall of Famer Michel Goulet, Boston College Head Coach Jerry York, Conor McKenna of The Team 990, and we'll hit the Junior Circuit with Patrick King of Sportsnet.ca. And last but not least, I'll finish things off by going "Toe to Toe" with Toddy to close out the show.
So be sure to get Inside Hockey this and every Saturday, 2-4 p.m. on NHL Home Ice XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. on the Team 990 in Montreal on the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com.
by James Murphy
Join James Murphy and Toddy Carroll for the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com this and every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com). Featuring notable hockey personalities as guests each week, Murph and Toddy get you inside the latest info and buzz around the rinks of the NHL, AHL, NCAA and Junior Hockey.
We've got a great show in store this week, with Toddy joining me in the studio. We will welcome on NHL Hall of Famer Michel Goulet, Boston College Head Coach Jerry York, Conor McKenna of The Team 990, and we'll hit the Junior Circuit with Patrick King of Sportsnet.ca. And last but not least, I'll finish things off by going "Toe to Toe" with Toddy to close out the show.
So be sure to get Inside Hockey this and every Saturday, 2-4 p.m. on NHL Home Ice XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. on the Team 990 in Montreal on the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Does Tim Thomas have a broken hand? Bruins-Wild Live Blog and preview; November 21 Inside Hockey Radio Show MP3's; Another great time in Montreal!
Hello, Bonjour & Hóigh!
Happy Thanksgiving to those in the United States!
Sources told me today that the reason Tim Thomas has missed the Bruins last four games is because of a broken hand suffered the night of the Bruins 6-5 overtime loss to the Penguins on November 14. Thomas hasn't started a game since but thankfully for the Bruins, Tuukka Rask has been sensational going 3-1-0 and will be in net again tonight.
I've got more on that, a preview of the Bruins-Wild will be live blogging the game over at NESN.com.
In other Bruins news, Shawn Thornton has made his TV debut in a commercial for Pride Motors. I think he acts better than the Pride guy no?
Checkout my latest Northeast Division Notebook at NHL.com.
So I am just back from Montreal where as always I had a great time. Much thanks to the Dropkick Murphys who put on a great show at Metropolis last Friday and put me on their guest list along with my mates, Sean Ryan (Drunken Dru Band), Conor McKenna (Team 990), Lucas Tomalty, Chris Robitaille (Team 990), Mitch Melnick (Team 990) and Rod Applebee (Hurley's Irish Pub). A splendid time had by all there and at the after-party with the Mahones and Drunken Dru at Cafe Chaos!
Also great to catch up with the crew at Brutopia Jeff and Ariana and meet Deam Whalen, a good Irish and Scottish lad!
By the way, last week's Inside Hockey radio Show is up on Insidehockey.com. Thanks to Conor for hosting with me and to Chris for his help in allowing me to use the Team 990 production studio.
Also, yesterday was the 25th anniversary of this!
Finally, don't think I forgot what happened a week ago today! Let this be on your conscience in South Africa Henry!
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy 96th to my inspiration, my grandmother "Mum"!
Sláinte!
Murph
Happy Thanksgiving to those in the United States!
Sources told me today that the reason Tim Thomas has missed the Bruins last four games is because of a broken hand suffered the night of the Bruins 6-5 overtime loss to the Penguins on November 14. Thomas hasn't started a game since but thankfully for the Bruins, Tuukka Rask has been sensational going 3-1-0 and will be in net again tonight.
I've got more on that, a preview of the Bruins-Wild will be live blogging the game over at NESN.com.
In other Bruins news, Shawn Thornton has made his TV debut in a commercial for Pride Motors. I think he acts better than the Pride guy no?
Checkout my latest Northeast Division Notebook at NHL.com.
So I am just back from Montreal where as always I had a great time. Much thanks to the Dropkick Murphys who put on a great show at Metropolis last Friday and put me on their guest list along with my mates, Sean Ryan (Drunken Dru Band), Conor McKenna (Team 990), Lucas Tomalty, Chris Robitaille (Team 990), Mitch Melnick (Team 990) and Rod Applebee (Hurley's Irish Pub). A splendid time had by all there and at the after-party with the Mahones and Drunken Dru at Cafe Chaos!
Also great to catch up with the crew at Brutopia Jeff and Ariana and meet Deam Whalen, a good Irish and Scottish lad!
By the way, last week's Inside Hockey radio Show is up on Insidehockey.com. Thanks to Conor for hosting with me and to Chris for his help in allowing me to use the Team 990 production studio.
Also, yesterday was the 25th anniversary of this!
Finally, don't think I forgot what happened a week ago today! Let this be on your conscience in South Africa Henry!
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy 96th to my inspiration, my grandmother "Mum"!
Sláinte!
Murph
Friday, November 20, 2009
Greetings From Montreal!
Hello, Bonjour & Hóigh!
Hope you have a had a great week and enjoyed some great hockey!
Greetings from Montreal where as always people are fretting over the Habs! But as Pat Hickey points out, Carey Price is starting to come around and find his game. I said it here before folks and specifically for you Habs fans, don't give up on this kid. He will be a star!
Back in Boston, I'm hearing that Marc Savard is very close to signing as reported a seven-year deal but DPM is hearing it will be closer to or upwards of $40 million.
In other Bruins news, Milan Lucic returned to the lineup Thursday and Savard is expected to be back by Thanksgiving, most likely for the Bruins game at Minnesota November 25. But as I pointed out in a recent column for NESN.com, if the Bruins don't tighten up there game again and start showing the trademark edge and emotion they built into their identity over the past two seasons, major changes could very well take place. Peter Chiarelli is on record as saying that he will be patient and he "believes" in this current team, but no one can argue they have grossly underachieved and if they don't get better with Savard and Lucic in the lineup that patience will wear thin.
So besides being here for the Habs-Red Wings Saturday night at the Bell Centre, I'm also in what has become my second home to see my good friends the Dropkick Murphys, for whom the title of my blog pays homage too. The Dropkicks are great hockey fans and of course have a song in honor of the Bruins.
But I'm looking forward to what to this date is the best intro to a concert I've ever witnessed! The build-up during this moment right before the band takes the stage is insane to say the least and Metropolis in Montreal should be rocking tonight! I'm convinced the Bruins should come onto the ice to this intro. Their PR and marketing staff can thank me when they do!
Sláinte!
Murph
Hope you have a had a great week and enjoyed some great hockey!
Greetings from Montreal where as always people are fretting over the Habs! But as Pat Hickey points out, Carey Price is starting to come around and find his game. I said it here before folks and specifically for you Habs fans, don't give up on this kid. He will be a star!
Back in Boston, I'm hearing that Marc Savard is very close to signing as reported a seven-year deal but DPM is hearing it will be closer to or upwards of $40 million.
In other Bruins news, Milan Lucic returned to the lineup Thursday and Savard is expected to be back by Thanksgiving, most likely for the Bruins game at Minnesota November 25. But as I pointed out in a recent column for NESN.com, if the Bruins don't tighten up there game again and start showing the trademark edge and emotion they built into their identity over the past two seasons, major changes could very well take place. Peter Chiarelli is on record as saying that he will be patient and he "believes" in this current team, but no one can argue they have grossly underachieved and if they don't get better with Savard and Lucic in the lineup that patience will wear thin.
So besides being here for the Habs-Red Wings Saturday night at the Bell Centre, I'm also in what has become my second home to see my good friends the Dropkick Murphys, for whom the title of my blog pays homage too. The Dropkicks are great hockey fans and of course have a song in honor of the Bruins.
But I'm looking forward to what to this date is the best intro to a concert I've ever witnessed! The build-up during this moment right before the band takes the stage is insane to say the least and Metropolis in Montreal should be rocking tonight! I'm convinced the Bruins should come onto the ice to this intro. Their PR and marketing staff can thank me when they do!
Sláinte!
Murph
Inside Hockey Radio Show November 21
INSIDE HOCKEY RADIO SHOW
Join James Murphy and Toddy Carroll for the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com this and every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com). Featuring notable hockey personalities as guests each week, Murph and Toddy get you inside the latest info and buzz around the rinks of the NHL, AHL, NCAA and Junior Hockey.
We've got a great show this week as Conor McKenna of the Team 990 will join Murph in studio as a co-host. We will also welcome on Pittsburgh Penguins Assistant GM Tom Fitzgerald, former NHLer and current Providence Bruin Dan LaCouture, and Greg Wyshynski (aka Puck Daddy) of Yahoo! Sports. We also will get the Campus Buzz from Bob Snow of NHL.com.
So be sure to get Inside Hockey this and every Saturday, 2-4 p.m. on NHL Home Ice XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. on the Team 990 in Montreal on the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com.
Don't forgetyou can find the archives here:
http://insidehockey.com/radio
Sláinte!
Murph
Join James Murphy and Toddy Carroll for the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com this and every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com). Featuring notable hockey personalities as guests each week, Murph and Toddy get you inside the latest info and buzz around the rinks of the NHL, AHL, NCAA and Junior Hockey.
We've got a great show this week as Conor McKenna of the Team 990 will join Murph in studio as a co-host. We will also welcome on Pittsburgh Penguins Assistant GM Tom Fitzgerald, former NHLer and current Providence Bruin Dan LaCouture, and Greg Wyshynski (aka Puck Daddy) of Yahoo! Sports. We also will get the Campus Buzz from Bob Snow of NHL.com.
So be sure to get Inside Hockey this and every Saturday, 2-4 p.m. on NHL Home Ice XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. on the Team 990 in Montreal on the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com.
Don't forgetyou can find the archives here:
http://insidehockey.com/radio
Sláinte!
Murph
Monday, November 16, 2009
Bruins-Islanders preview; Live-Blogging at NESN.com
My "Facing Off" Bruins-Isles preview is up at NESN.com and I will be live-blogging the game later tonight. Looking forward to seeing John Tavares in person for the first time this season.
Sláinte!
Murph
Sláinte!
Murph
Saturday, November 14, 2009
New Feature at DPM.com: Picks of the night
Hello folks,
Figured we'd start this as a Saturday tradition. So here's my three "picks" of the night for November 14.
Flames over Leafs
Red Wings over Ducks
Devils over Capitals
Enjoy your hockey Saturday night!
Sláinte!
Murph
Figured we'd start this as a Saturday tradition. So here's my three "picks" of the night for November 14.
Flames over Leafs
Red Wings over Ducks
Devils over Capitals
Enjoy your hockey Saturday night!
Sláinte!
Murph
Remember, Inside Hockey Radio Show today 2-4 p.m. ET!
Join James Murphy and Toddy Carroll for the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com this and every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com). Featuring notable hockey personalities as guests each week, Murph and Toddy get you inside the latest info and buzz around the rinks of the NHL, AHL, NCAA and Junior Hockey.
This week: Stephen Brunt (Globe and Mail; author of "Gretzky's Tears"); Tyson Nash (Coyotes radio color man, former NHLer) Patrick King (Sportsnet.ca); Conor McKenna (Team 990) Toe-to-Toe with Toddy Carroll.
Special thanks to Lauren Adelson and Roger Sonia of Verizon for help making this show possible from my new studio!
Sláinte!
Murph
This week: Stephen Brunt (Globe and Mail; author of "Gretzky's Tears"); Tyson Nash (Coyotes radio color man, former NHLer) Patrick King (Sportsnet.ca); Conor McKenna (Team 990) Toe-to-Toe with Toddy Carroll.
Special thanks to Lauren Adelson and Roger Sonia of Verizon for help making this show possible from my new studio!
Sláinte!
Murph
Bruins-Pens Preview; Live-Blogging Bruins-Pens and Plus-Minus
Here's a preview of tonight's Bruins-Pens game at "The Igloo" in Pittsburgh. Also, I'll be live blogging the game tonight.
Checkout my weekly Plus-Minus for the Bruins column as well.
Sláinte!
Murph
Checkout my weekly Plus-Minus for the Bruins column as well.
Sláinte!
Murph
Friday, November 13, 2009
My Latest Hockey Scribblings From NESN.com and NHL.com
Here's my latest Northeast Notes and On Campus Notebook from NHL.com as well as all my latest Bruins coverage for NESN.com. Really amazing story in On Campus with Denver goalie and Florida Panthers prospect Marc Cheverie. Hope you enjoy!
Sláinte!
Murph
Sláinte!
Murph
Props To The NHL For Veterans Day Ceremonies
Hello, Bonjour & Hóigh!
Hope you have a had a great week and enjoyed some great hockey! My apologies for not posting for a week, but it has been a hectic week on the home front and well, just one of those weeks. But after a week of reflecting on and appreciating our veterans and those who are serving for us or sacrificed their lives for us, there's no self-pity here. Things could be a lot worse!
I must really commend the NHL and players like Bruins defenseman Mark Stuart and Mike Cammalleri who made donations to and bought tickets to Veterans in honor of Veterans and Remembrance Day which was celebrated this past Wednesday but throughout the week in the NHL. Also checkout the mask Carey Price wore and is auctioning off to help veterans.
There were some moving moments during the Bruins-Panthers game when the TD Garden played a surprise video for a soldier's wife and her children in attendance for the game. That was the scene across the NHL and they deserve mad props for the respect and appreciation they showed to our Veterans.
Don't forget Don "Grapes" Cherry's annual Remembrance Day Coach's Corner on Hockey Night In Canada. Of course he never forgets the veterans and shows the faces and names of fallen soldiers each week. Also, checkout what to this date is one of the best interviews I've been a part of on the Inside Hockey Radio Show. Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing the legendary Milt Schmidt who is not only a Hall of Famer but also a WWII veteran who left the game for four years and then returned to win the Hart Trophy. Amazing!
But that and this past week reminded me that we should always pay homage to those who are sacrificing and have sacrificed for us. Every day should be treated like that and we should show our appreciation for veterans and soldiers regardless of our views on war! If you see a soldier anytime, thank them!
I just want to take this time to thank my Dad (USMC), my late Grandfather (US Army), my cousins Patrick (USMC) and Chris (US Army), my friend Josh Staunton (USMC) and all veterans and soldiers. Thank you for your service and my freedom!
Sláinte!
Murph
Hope you have a had a great week and enjoyed some great hockey! My apologies for not posting for a week, but it has been a hectic week on the home front and well, just one of those weeks. But after a week of reflecting on and appreciating our veterans and those who are serving for us or sacrificed their lives for us, there's no self-pity here. Things could be a lot worse!
I must really commend the NHL and players like Bruins defenseman Mark Stuart and Mike Cammalleri who made donations to and bought tickets to Veterans in honor of Veterans and Remembrance Day which was celebrated this past Wednesday but throughout the week in the NHL. Also checkout the mask Carey Price wore and is auctioning off to help veterans.
There were some moving moments during the Bruins-Panthers game when the TD Garden played a surprise video for a soldier's wife and her children in attendance for the game. That was the scene across the NHL and they deserve mad props for the respect and appreciation they showed to our Veterans.
Don't forget Don "Grapes" Cherry's annual Remembrance Day Coach's Corner on Hockey Night In Canada. Of course he never forgets the veterans and shows the faces and names of fallen soldiers each week. Also, checkout what to this date is one of the best interviews I've been a part of on the Inside Hockey Radio Show. Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing the legendary Milt Schmidt who is not only a Hall of Famer but also a WWII veteran who left the game for four years and then returned to win the Hart Trophy. Amazing!
But that and this past week reminded me that we should always pay homage to those who are sacrificing and have sacrificed for us. Every day should be treated like that and we should show our appreciation for veterans and soldiers regardless of our views on war! If you see a soldier anytime, thank them!
I just want to take this time to thank my Dad (USMC), my late Grandfather (US Army), my cousins Patrick (USMC) and Chris (US Army), my friend Josh Staunton (USMC) and all veterans and soldiers. Thank you for your service and my freedom!
Sláinte!
Murph
Inside Hockey Radio Show 11/14 Featuring Stephen Brunt, Tyson Nash and more!
INSIDE HOCKEY RADIO SHOW
by James Murphy
Join James Murphy and Toddy Carroll for the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com this and every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com). Featuring notable hockey personalities as guests each week, Murph and Toddy get you inside the latest info and buzz around the rinks of the NHL, AHL, NCAA and Junior Hockey.
We've got a great show this week as we welcome on award-winning writer and author Stephen Brunt. The lead sports columnist for the Globe and Mail has a new book out, Gretzky's Tears, chronicling the trade of "The Great One" from Edmonton to Los Angeles on August 9, 1988. We'll talk about his new book and also get Brunt's take on the new proposed "blindside hit rule", the NHLPA and some other NHL issues. We will also chat with Phoenix Coyotes radio color analyst and former NHLer Tyson Nash. The Phoenix Coyotes have been one of the most pleasant surprises this season, especially in light of what's going on with the team outside the rink. Tyson will give us the latest on the team and the ownership situation as well as discuss the role of the agitator in today's NHL.
Patrick King of Sportsnet.ca will join us to take us on the "Junior Circuit" and discuss the world of junior hockey and Conor McKenna of the Team 990 is on to talk some NHL. As always we'll go Toe-to-Toe with Toddy Carroll as we tackle and debate the latest hot button issues across the hockey world. This week we're lucky enough to get two segments worth of "Toe-to-Toe" as Toddy will open and close shop with us!
Don't forget to checkout last week's show where I had the honor of interviewing WWII veteran and Hall of Famer Milt Schmidt
So be sure to get Inside Hockey this and every Saturday, 2-4 p.m. on NHL Home Ice XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. on the Team 990 in Montreal on the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com.
Sláinte!
Murph
by James Murphy
Join James Murphy and Toddy Carroll for the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com this and every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com). Featuring notable hockey personalities as guests each week, Murph and Toddy get you inside the latest info and buzz around the rinks of the NHL, AHL, NCAA and Junior Hockey.
We've got a great show this week as we welcome on award-winning writer and author Stephen Brunt. The lead sports columnist for the Globe and Mail has a new book out, Gretzky's Tears, chronicling the trade of "The Great One" from Edmonton to Los Angeles on August 9, 1988. We'll talk about his new book and also get Brunt's take on the new proposed "blindside hit rule", the NHLPA and some other NHL issues. We will also chat with Phoenix Coyotes radio color analyst and former NHLer Tyson Nash. The Phoenix Coyotes have been one of the most pleasant surprises this season, especially in light of what's going on with the team outside the rink. Tyson will give us the latest on the team and the ownership situation as well as discuss the role of the agitator in today's NHL.
Patrick King of Sportsnet.ca will join us to take us on the "Junior Circuit" and discuss the world of junior hockey and Conor McKenna of the Team 990 is on to talk some NHL. As always we'll go Toe-to-Toe with Toddy Carroll as we tackle and debate the latest hot button issues across the hockey world. This week we're lucky enough to get two segments worth of "Toe-to-Toe" as Toddy will open and close shop with us!
Don't forget to checkout last week's show where I had the honor of interviewing WWII veteran and Hall of Famer Milt Schmidt
So be sure to get Inside Hockey this and every Saturday, 2-4 p.m. on NHL Home Ice XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. on the Team 990 in Montreal on the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com.
Sláinte!
Murph
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Bruins-Sabres preview up on NESN.com; Rask vs. Enroth; Thanks to Milt Schmidt and guests
My Bruins-Sabres preview is up at NESN.com and I will be live blogging the game from TD Banknorth Garden tonight. Tuukka Rask vs. Jhonas Enroth between the pipes.
Thanks to Milt Schmidt for one of the best interviews I've ever been a part of and to all my guests on Inside Hockey Radio Show today! Thanks to John, Matt and Jimmy G for working the boards as well.
Off to Beantown for Bruins-Sabres. Have a great hockey Saturday night!
Sláinte!
Murph
Thanks to Milt Schmidt for one of the best interviews I've ever been a part of and to all my guests on Inside Hockey Radio Show today! Thanks to John, Matt and Jimmy G for working the boards as well.
Off to Beantown for Bruins-Sabres. Have a great hockey Saturday night!
Sláinte!
Murph
Friday, November 6, 2009
Metro Happy In Montreal
Glad to see old friend Glen Metropolit doing well in Montreal.
http://www.nesn.com/2009/11/glen-metropolit-always-appreciative-of-boston.html
Sláinte!
Murph
http://www.nesn.com/2009/11/glen-metropolit-always-appreciative-of-boston.html
Sláinte!
Murph
Report: Lucic eyeing November 19 return
According to Matt Kalman at ESPNBoston.com Bruins injured forward Milan Lucic is eyeing a November 19 return from surgery for a broken right index finger.
Sláinte!
Murph
Sláinte!
Murph
Thanks To All Who Serve And Have Served For Our Freedom; Recchi; Price; Hall Of Fame
Hello, Bonjour & Hóigh!
Hope you have a had a great week and enjoyed some great hockey! It was a busy week for DropPuckMurphy.com as I covered the struggling and hard-luck Bruins and also plenty of NHL news. You can find links to all of my hockey scribblings from NESN.com and NHL.com on the site. You can also find the latest info on the Inside Hockey Radio Show, including this week's lineup and links to the last two shows. Should be a great show tomorrow as we welcome on WWII veteran and Hockey Hall Of Famer Milt Schmidt!
As for those Bruins who went an astonishing 192:06 without lighting the red light, I will just say that this team still has what it takes to turn around this season and once Marc Savard, David Krejci and Milan Lucic are all in the lineup again, then we can truly judge if this team is a legit Stanley Cup contender. Until then, please spare me the Phil Kessel banter and if I hear anyone else say that Mark Recchi is "done" I just may go Tuukka Rask on them! Or maybe pull a Milan Lucic on Chris Neil!
Recchi is a future Hall of Famer and for that alone deserves more respect. He is also one of the main leaders in that dressing room that is keeping this team sane through their early season injuries and struggles. Oh and by the way, I don't seem to see bigger Bruins constantly in front of the net and in the dirty areas the way the 5'10" Recchi always is.
For our readers in Montreal and Habs fans everywhere, let me tell you that just as Bruins fans and media shouldn't give up on Recchi, you should not give up on Carey Price! What I saw Thursday night, was in my opinion, Price's best game yet and encapsulated what this young talent can be on a regular basis. The Habs should've handled his development in much the same way that the aforementioned Rask was handled by the Bruins but that is in the past now and they must deal with where Price stands now. Be patient, be thankful they have Jaroslav Halak and soon enough Price will be the goalie you thought he could be. He single-handedly beat the Bruins with 42 saves and three in the shootout but somehow wasn't named the game's top star? That doesn't matter because if he is handled better going forward, he will win plenty more than a game's top star!
Finally, congratulations to all the 2009 Hall of Fame inductees Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, Brian Leetch, Luc Robitaille, and Lou Lamoriello, as well as Pittsburgh Post-Gazette long-time hockey scribe Dave Molinari who will receive the Elmer Ferguson Award and also St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations John Davidson who will be recognized for his brilliant career with MSG Network, CBC and various other networks in the United States and Canada as this year's winner of the Foster Hewitt Award.
Thank you to my father, grandfather, cousin Patrick, cousin Chris, Josh Staunton, Scruffy Wallace and all our fallen and active soldiers as well as all veterans who served for our freedom. Lest we forget…
Sláinte!
Murph
PS: You know why Yzerman is going into the Hall of Fame? Because he's Stevie Y! That's why!
Hope you have a had a great week and enjoyed some great hockey! It was a busy week for DropPuckMurphy.com as I covered the struggling and hard-luck Bruins and also plenty of NHL news. You can find links to all of my hockey scribblings from NESN.com and NHL.com on the site. You can also find the latest info on the Inside Hockey Radio Show, including this week's lineup and links to the last two shows. Should be a great show tomorrow as we welcome on WWII veteran and Hockey Hall Of Famer Milt Schmidt!
As for those Bruins who went an astonishing 192:06 without lighting the red light, I will just say that this team still has what it takes to turn around this season and once Marc Savard, David Krejci and Milan Lucic are all in the lineup again, then we can truly judge if this team is a legit Stanley Cup contender. Until then, please spare me the Phil Kessel banter and if I hear anyone else say that Mark Recchi is "done" I just may go Tuukka Rask on them! Or maybe pull a Milan Lucic on Chris Neil!
Recchi is a future Hall of Famer and for that alone deserves more respect. He is also one of the main leaders in that dressing room that is keeping this team sane through their early season injuries and struggles. Oh and by the way, I don't seem to see bigger Bruins constantly in front of the net and in the dirty areas the way the 5'10" Recchi always is.
For our readers in Montreal and Habs fans everywhere, let me tell you that just as Bruins fans and media shouldn't give up on Recchi, you should not give up on Carey Price! What I saw Thursday night, was in my opinion, Price's best game yet and encapsulated what this young talent can be on a regular basis. The Habs should've handled his development in much the same way that the aforementioned Rask was handled by the Bruins but that is in the past now and they must deal with where Price stands now. Be patient, be thankful they have Jaroslav Halak and soon enough Price will be the goalie you thought he could be. He single-handedly beat the Bruins with 42 saves and three in the shootout but somehow wasn't named the game's top star? That doesn't matter because if he is handled better going forward, he will win plenty more than a game's top star!
Finally, congratulations to all the 2009 Hall of Fame inductees Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, Brian Leetch, Luc Robitaille, and Lou Lamoriello, as well as Pittsburgh Post-Gazette long-time hockey scribe Dave Molinari who will receive the Elmer Ferguson Award and also St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations John Davidson who will be recognized for his brilliant career with MSG Network, CBC and various other networks in the United States and Canada as this year's winner of the Foster Hewitt Award.
Thank you to my father, grandfather, cousin Patrick, cousin Chris, Josh Staunton, Scruffy Wallace and all our fallen and active soldiers as well as all veterans who served for our freedom. Lest we forget…
Sláinte!
Murph
PS: You know why Yzerman is going into the Hall of Fame? Because he's Stevie Y! That's why!
Inside Hockey Radio Show November 7
Join James Murphy and Toddy Carroll for the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com this and every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com). Featuring notable hockey personalities as guests each week, Murph and Toddy get you inside the latest info and buzz around the rinks of the NHL, AHL, NCAA and Junior Hockey,
We've got a great show this week as we celebrate Hall of Fame weekend and also honor our veterans and soldiers for Remembrance Day in Canada and Veteran's Day in the United States. On that note, we are honored to welcome onto the show as our featured guest, WWII Veteran and Hall Of Famer Milt Schmidt.
Schmidt, 91 was a member of the famed "Kraut Line" with his childhood friends Woody Dumart and Bobby Bauer. They were a strong and dependable line for the Bruins for most of the following fifteen seasons. They were a key ingredient to the Bruins' success as they rampaged to the regular season title and and won the 1939 Stanley Cup. The following season he led the league in scoring and guided the Bruins to another first place finish and the third most goals in team history to date.
In 1941 Schmidt spearheaded the Bruins to their second Cup win in three years. However, the Bruins were decimated by World War II the following year as Schmidt, Bauer and Dumart enlisted in the Canadian military and superstar American goaltender Frank Brimsek enlisted with the American Coast Guard. The Kraut Line found success playing hockey for the Ottawa RCAF team by winning the Allan Cup before heading overseas. Schmidt, Bauer and Dumart would end up missing three productive NHL seasons due to their service in the War.
Schmidt returned for the beginning of the 1946 season and resumed his star career finishing fourth in league scoring in 1947. Schmidt was named captain in 1951 and won the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player that year. He retired as a player partway through the 1954-55 season to take over head coaching duties.
We're also glad to welcome on Bob Harwood of Versus and Elliotte Friedman of CBC's Hockey Night In Canada (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/2009/11/time_to_revisit_the_interferen.html). We'll discuss this year's Hall of Fame inductees Luc Robitaille, Steve Yzerman, Brett Hulland Brian Leetch as well as a variety of NHL topics
We will go "On Campus" with our college hockey guru Bob Snow from NHL.com. Checkout Bob's latest pieces on brotherly at Harvard and Dartmouth (http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=504904) and NHLer and former University of Michigan star Brendan Morrison (http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=504909). Conor McKenna of the Team 990 is in to talk some NHL and as always we'll go Toe-to-Toe with Toddy Carroll as we tackle and debate the latest hot button issues across the hockey world.
So be sure to get Inside Hockey this and every Saturday, 2-4 p.m. on NHL Home Ice XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. on the Team 990 in Montreal on the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com.
Also for the last two shows go to Insidehockey.com
We've got a great show this week as we celebrate Hall of Fame weekend and also honor our veterans and soldiers for Remembrance Day in Canada and Veteran's Day in the United States. On that note, we are honored to welcome onto the show as our featured guest, WWII Veteran and Hall Of Famer Milt Schmidt.
Schmidt, 91 was a member of the famed "Kraut Line" with his childhood friends Woody Dumart and Bobby Bauer. They were a strong and dependable line for the Bruins for most of the following fifteen seasons. They were a key ingredient to the Bruins' success as they rampaged to the regular season title and and won the 1939 Stanley Cup. The following season he led the league in scoring and guided the Bruins to another first place finish and the third most goals in team history to date.
In 1941 Schmidt spearheaded the Bruins to their second Cup win in three years. However, the Bruins were decimated by World War II the following year as Schmidt, Bauer and Dumart enlisted in the Canadian military and superstar American goaltender Frank Brimsek enlisted with the American Coast Guard. The Kraut Line found success playing hockey for the Ottawa RCAF team by winning the Allan Cup before heading overseas. Schmidt, Bauer and Dumart would end up missing three productive NHL seasons due to their service in the War.
Schmidt returned for the beginning of the 1946 season and resumed his star career finishing fourth in league scoring in 1947. Schmidt was named captain in 1951 and won the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player that year. He retired as a player partway through the 1954-55 season to take over head coaching duties.
We're also glad to welcome on Bob Harwood of Versus and Elliotte Friedman of CBC's Hockey Night In Canada (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/blogs/2009/11/time_to_revisit_the_interferen.html). We'll discuss this year's Hall of Fame inductees Luc Robitaille, Steve Yzerman, Brett Hulland Brian Leetch as well as a variety of NHL topics
We will go "On Campus" with our college hockey guru Bob Snow from NHL.com. Checkout Bob's latest pieces on brotherly at Harvard and Dartmouth (http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=504904) and NHLer and former University of Michigan star Brendan Morrison (http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=504909). Conor McKenna of the Team 990 is in to talk some NHL and as always we'll go Toe-to-Toe with Toddy Carroll as we tackle and debate the latest hot button issues across the hockey world.
So be sure to get Inside Hockey this and every Saturday, 2-4 p.m. on NHL Home Ice XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. on the Team 990 in Montreal on the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com.
Also for the last two shows go to Insidehockey.com
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Happy B-Day Dad! Crazy Day At TD Garden; Ready For Bruins-Habs
Happy Birthday to my Dad who yesterday on my birthday termed me "the strangest present your Mom ever gave me". Thanks Dad!
Getting ready for the Habs-Bruins here at the TD Garden and wow what a busy day it has been!
First this morning, the Bruins announced that center David Krejci had been diagnosed with the H1N1 flu and is day-to-day as he recovers. Then later this afternoon, the team confirmed that they had signed goalie Tuukka Rask to a two-year extension. GM Peter Chiarelli is due to speak to the media here at 6 p.m. so we'll have more on that later and I'll post a quick feature at some point tonight here on NESN.com.
Also, all my Bruins-Habs coverage, including the "Facing Off" preview, Live Blog, Bruins-Habs rivalry piece and soon a piece on old friend and former Bruin Glen Metropolit finding success on the other side of this rivalry in Montreal. You can find it all here.
OK, down to feed the meters, grab some great Will McDonough Press Room grub, cover the Chiarelli presser and head back up for the pregame warm-ups. I will also be on "Melnick In The Afternoon" on the Team 990 in Montreal at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Sláinte!
Murph
Getting ready for the Habs-Bruins here at the TD Garden and wow what a busy day it has been!
First this morning, the Bruins announced that center David Krejci had been diagnosed with the H1N1 flu and is day-to-day as he recovers. Then later this afternoon, the team confirmed that they had signed goalie Tuukka Rask to a two-year extension. GM Peter Chiarelli is due to speak to the media here at 6 p.m. so we'll have more on that later and I'll post a quick feature at some point tonight here on NESN.com.
Also, all my Bruins-Habs coverage, including the "Facing Off" preview, Live Blog, Bruins-Habs rivalry piece and soon a piece on old friend and former Bruin Glen Metropolit finding success on the other side of this rivalry in Montreal. You can find it all here.
OK, down to feed the meters, grab some great Will McDonough Press Room grub, cover the Chiarelli presser and head back up for the pregame warm-ups. I will also be on "Melnick In The Afternoon" on the Team 990 in Montreal at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Sláinte!
Murph
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
A Stressful Birthday But Looking Forward To Habs-Bruins tomorrow
So I'm halfway to 70 today but still a young 35, at least I think so. But I may have gotten some more gray hairs today as my MacBook laptop went into the Mac hospital I guess you'd call it. Good news though, all seems to be good with the MacBook I call "Stanley Comp" and I will be writing away from TD Garden in Boston tomorrow covering the first installment of the 2009-10 Habs-Bruins season series. Much thanks to JP Matta over at the Legacy Place Dedham Apple Store!
Writing my "Facing Off" NESN.com preview right now and I have to tell you, I feel more like I'm 15 again and waiting for my late grandfather to pick me up and take me to the Boston Garden. There's just something about Bruins-Habs games that still gets the juices flowing!
As I also plan to write later for NESN.com, this game and rivalry may be just what each struggling team needs. How can they not get up for another chapter of this storied rivalry. A win in this game could propel the winning team back on track. So we will see. Lots of new faces on the Montreal team but I'm sure when they step on that ice tomorrow night, they will figure out how special this rivalry is.
I know the Bruins understand what these games mean because many of them frequently ask me about the Habs and how they're doing due to my Montreal ties. So, hopefully that comes out on the ice and we get another classic. Maybe a few fisticuffs too? For now, I'll go back to writing and then dinner with my wife.
Oh and by the way, Go Pedro!
Sláinte!
Murph
Writing my "Facing Off" NESN.com preview right now and I have to tell you, I feel more like I'm 15 again and waiting for my late grandfather to pick me up and take me to the Boston Garden. There's just something about Bruins-Habs games that still gets the juices flowing!
As I also plan to write later for NESN.com, this game and rivalry may be just what each struggling team needs. How can they not get up for another chapter of this storied rivalry. A win in this game could propel the winning team back on track. So we will see. Lots of new faces on the Montreal team but I'm sure when they step on that ice tomorrow night, they will figure out how special this rivalry is.
I know the Bruins understand what these games mean because many of them frequently ask me about the Habs and how they're doing due to my Montreal ties. So, hopefully that comes out on the ice and we get another classic. Maybe a few fisticuffs too? For now, I'll go back to writing and then dinner with my wife.
Oh and by the way, Go Pedro!
Sláinte!
Murph
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Murphy's Law Hits On My Birthday Eve But NESN.com's Adam Hirshfield Comes Through In The Clutch!
Wow, I feel like the Bruins power play or offense right now! Just a night of frustration as I tried to Live Blog the Bruins-Red Wings for NESN.com. First my MacBook laptop decided to slow and then freeze with that dreaded rainbow circle appearing halfway through the first period.
So I hopped onto my Mac Desktop thinking I could at least use that and deal with the laptop later. But low and behold, the desktop decides to pull the same act on me and now I'm in a pinch. Well, this continued throughout the game and by the end of the game I was sending gmail chat entries to my editor and savior tonight, Adam Hirshfield who was Chris Osgood-like calm under pressure. The entries were slowed every so often but Adam transcribed my verbal entries via phone and we made it through a frustrating 2-0 loss by the Bruins but not really frustrating because of their futile ways around the net, but just our struggles.
Thanks to Adam and the NESN.com crew for their help and patience. Guess I'll be spending time in the Apple Store Help Cafe on Wednesday, which happens to be my 35th birthday. I think they need a fully stocked bar in there no? Irish Coffees as you wait for them to fix your computers sounds just fine. Maybe just for my birthday?
As for the game, wondering if we'll hear all those "Red Wings dynasty is fading" folks tomorrow? That was text-book Wings dynasty hockey tonight. They were facing as Chris Osgood said after the game, a "snake-bitten" squad in the Bruins, but he looked great and the Red Wings simply dominated the neutral zone with their trademark puck possession. I honestly believe the Bruins would've snapped out of their slump against almost any other team tonight, but not against the Red Wings who can simply change the game on one play and get goaltending like they did from Osgood in his 50th career shutout.
Saw that Phil Kessel had a nice welcome back to the NHL from Lightning defenseman Mattias Ohlund tonight. Kessel had nine shots but didn't light the lamp in a 2-1 loss for Toronto to Tampa Bay. Kessel will get his goals but don't count on on 30-plus season without a center like Marc Savard setting him up.
Alright mates, off to bed on my last day before he I hit the halfway to 70 mark. I don't feel that old?
Sláinte!
Murph
So I hopped onto my Mac Desktop thinking I could at least use that and deal with the laptop later. But low and behold, the desktop decides to pull the same act on me and now I'm in a pinch. Well, this continued throughout the game and by the end of the game I was sending gmail chat entries to my editor and savior tonight, Adam Hirshfield who was Chris Osgood-like calm under pressure. The entries were slowed every so often but Adam transcribed my verbal entries via phone and we made it through a frustrating 2-0 loss by the Bruins but not really frustrating because of their futile ways around the net, but just our struggles.
Thanks to Adam and the NESN.com crew for their help and patience. Guess I'll be spending time in the Apple Store Help Cafe on Wednesday, which happens to be my 35th birthday. I think they need a fully stocked bar in there no? Irish Coffees as you wait for them to fix your computers sounds just fine. Maybe just for my birthday?
As for the game, wondering if we'll hear all those "Red Wings dynasty is fading" folks tomorrow? That was text-book Wings dynasty hockey tonight. They were facing as Chris Osgood said after the game, a "snake-bitten" squad in the Bruins, but he looked great and the Red Wings simply dominated the neutral zone with their trademark puck possession. I honestly believe the Bruins would've snapped out of their slump against almost any other team tonight, but not against the Red Wings who can simply change the game on one play and get goaltending like they did from Osgood in his 50th career shutout.
Saw that Phil Kessel had a nice welcome back to the NHL from Lightning defenseman Mattias Ohlund tonight. Kessel had nine shots but didn't light the lamp in a 2-1 loss for Toronto to Tampa Bay. Kessel will get his goals but don't count on on 30-plus season without a center like Marc Savard setting him up.
Alright mates, off to bed on my last day before he I hit the halfway to 70 mark. I don't feel that old?
Sláinte!
Murph
Bruins-Red Wings Coverage; Dropkick (not puck!) Murphys Hit The Road Once Again
Have plenty of Bruins-Red Wings coverage up at NESN.com. Should be a great Original 6 match-up there and I'll be live blogging the game so do check-in.
According to Fluto Shinzawa at Boston.com, Wings blueliners Brian Rafalski and Jonathan Ericsson are out with the flu for Detroit and former UMaine Black Bear Doug Janik will be in the lineup for Rafalski. On the Boston side, Byron Bitz misses his second straight game with a groin injury.
The long-awaited debut of Phil Kessel in Toronto is a go for tonight at the ACC Centre where the Leafs host the Lightning. Thanks to the Bruins scoring woes, everyone seems to be talking about how much Kessel is missed in the Boston lineup. While this may be true, it will only be a matter of time before Kessel hits one of his infamous invisible streaks and misses Boston.
The Toronto media and fans will eat that kid alive once he does have a scoring slump and he will realize how easy he had it in Boston as far as media and fan scrutiny goes. As I tweeted today too, he may be humming Dixie tunes soon to block out the media, wishing he took the proposed trade to Nashville instead of Toronto.
In non-hockey news, die-hard hockey fans and Irish punk-rockers, the Dropkick Murphys start their latest tour tomorrow in Anaheim. If you have the chance to check them out as they are always an energetic and exciting show! I am looking forward to meeting up with them in Montreal at Metropolis on November 20!
Here's a clip of probably the best intro I've seen at a concert. I think the Bruins should come into this with Cam Neely and Terry O'Reilly clips playing on that giant TD Garden HD screen!
Sláinte!
Murph
According to Fluto Shinzawa at Boston.com, Wings blueliners Brian Rafalski and Jonathan Ericsson are out with the flu for Detroit and former UMaine Black Bear Doug Janik will be in the lineup for Rafalski. On the Boston side, Byron Bitz misses his second straight game with a groin injury.
The long-awaited debut of Phil Kessel in Toronto is a go for tonight at the ACC Centre where the Leafs host the Lightning. Thanks to the Bruins scoring woes, everyone seems to be talking about how much Kessel is missed in the Boston lineup. While this may be true, it will only be a matter of time before Kessel hits one of his infamous invisible streaks and misses Boston.
The Toronto media and fans will eat that kid alive once he does have a scoring slump and he will realize how easy he had it in Boston as far as media and fan scrutiny goes. As I tweeted today too, he may be humming Dixie tunes soon to block out the media, wishing he took the proposed trade to Nashville instead of Toronto.
In non-hockey news, die-hard hockey fans and Irish punk-rockers, the Dropkick Murphys start their latest tour tomorrow in Anaheim. If you have the chance to check them out as they are always an energetic and exciting show! I am looking forward to meeting up with them in Montreal at Metropolis on November 20!
Here's a clip of probably the best intro I've seen at a concert. I think the Bruins should come into this with Cam Neely and Terry O'Reilly clips playing on that giant TD Garden HD screen!
Sláinte!
Murph
Breaking Down The Bruins Anemic Offense On NESN Sportsdesk
Had the pleasure of joining Cole Wright for NESN Sportsdesk tonight to talk about the Bruins offensive woes and yes we touched on the return of Phil Kessel as a Maple Leaf. But one thing I forgot to mention is what that 2010 first round pick acquired in the Kessel trade may bring
Sláinte!
Murph
Sláinte!
Murph
Monday, November 2, 2009
On NESN Sportsdesk Talking Bruins Power Play Failure 10 p.m.
I will be on NESN Sportsdesk tonight talking about the Bruins' woeful power play. Sure to discuss the imminent return of Phil Kessel as well.
Sláinte!
Murph
Sláinte!
Murph
Sunday, November 1, 2009
NHL Not Treating "The Great One" Great At All!
After all he has done for the league in terms of revenue and recognition, the NHL appears to be leaving Wayne Gretzky out to dry. As Larry Brooks reported in the NY Post today, the league does not intend on giving him any of the money owed to him from the Phoenix fiasco.
I don't know folks, this league never seems to get it right!
Sláinte!
Murph
I don't know folks, this league never seems to get it right!
Sláinte!
Murph
Sunday Sunday Sunday! Thomas Remembers Plante; Live Blogging Bruins @Rangers and Bruins-Rangers preview
Happy Sunday and I hope you had great Halloween! Getting ready for some football but first I will be live-blogging the Bruins @ Rangers today over at NESN.com.
Also, today is the 50th anniversary of of Canadiens goaltender Jacques Plante donning the first goalie mask at MSG when he took a shot from Ranger Andy Bathgate during the second period in a game on November 1, 1949. I interviewed Bruins goalie Tim Thomas on the subject and Thomas showed appreciation of Plante and those that came before him in another interesting interview with the Vezina Trophy Winner.
Finally checkout my Bruins-Rangers preview.
OK back to my Sunday hockey reading with my dog Nemo by my side. Nemo is really liking hockey. The other day when the Centre Ice package went black, he got up and paced around. When Comcast turned it back on, he barked and sat back in his spot watching peacefully. Love this puck dog!
Sláinte!
Murph
Also, today is the 50th anniversary of of Canadiens goaltender Jacques Plante donning the first goalie mask at MSG when he took a shot from Ranger Andy Bathgate during the second period in a game on November 1, 1949. I interviewed Bruins goalie Tim Thomas on the subject and Thomas showed appreciation of Plante and those that came before him in another interesting interview with the Vezina Trophy Winner.
Finally checkout my Bruins-Rangers preview.
OK back to my Sunday hockey reading with my dog Nemo by my side. Nemo is really liking hockey. The other day when the Centre Ice package went black, he got up and paced around. When Comcast turned it back on, he barked and sat back in his spot watching peacefully. Love this puck dog!
Sláinte!
Murph
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Inside Hockey Radio Show October 31
INSIDE HOCKEY RADIO SHOW
10/31/09
Join James Murphy and Toddy Carroll for the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com this and every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com). Featuring notable hockey personalities as guests each week, Murph and Toddy get you inside the latest info and buzz around the rinks of the NHL, AHL, NCAA and Junior Hockey,
We've got a great show this week as Kings GM Dean Lombardi joins us as our featured guest. We'll chat up the Kings hot start and the importance of developing prospects. We also welcome on old friends Rob Simpson from the NHL Network and NHL.com and former NHLer Ian Moran.
Our junior hockey expert Patrick King of Sportsnet.ca joins us for the "Junior Circuit". Conor McKenna of the Team 990 is in to talk some NHL and as always we'll go Toe-to-Toe with Toddy Carroll as we tackle and debate the latest hot button issues across the hockey world.
So be sure to get Inside Hockey this and every Saturday, 2-4 p.m. on NHL Home Ice XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. on the Team 990 in Montreal on the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com.
Sláinte!
Murph
10/31/09
Join James Murphy and Toddy Carroll for the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com this and every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com). Featuring notable hockey personalities as guests each week, Murph and Toddy get you inside the latest info and buzz around the rinks of the NHL, AHL, NCAA and Junior Hockey,
We've got a great show this week as Kings GM Dean Lombardi joins us as our featured guest. We'll chat up the Kings hot start and the importance of developing prospects. We also welcome on old friends Rob Simpson from the NHL Network and NHL.com and former NHLer Ian Moran.
Our junior hockey expert Patrick King of Sportsnet.ca joins us for the "Junior Circuit". Conor McKenna of the Team 990 is in to talk some NHL and as always we'll go Toe-to-Toe with Toddy Carroll as we tackle and debate the latest hot button issues across the hockey world.
So be sure to get Inside Hockey this and every Saturday, 2-4 p.m. on NHL Home Ice XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. on the Team 990 in Montreal on the Inside Hockey Radio Show brought to you by Hockeyprimetime.com.
Sláinte!
Murph
Latest from NESN.com: Bruins-Oilers preview;Bruins Plus-Minus and NHLPA
Happy Halloween!
Here are my latest features over at NESN.com. I have a Bruins-Oilers preview up there, my weekly Bruins Plus-Minus, and a feature on the false reports about the NHLPA suspending operations.
Sláinte!
Murph
Here are my latest features over at NESN.com. I have a Bruins-Oilers preview up there, my weekly Bruins Plus-Minus, and a feature on the false reports about the NHLPA suspending operations.
Sláinte!
Murph
Friday, October 30, 2009
Contrary To Reports, NHLPA Is A Functioning Organization Still
There is report spreading like wild fire right now that the NHLPA has suspended operations and according to my sources that is "completely false." The NHLPA also just released this statement:
"Interim Executive Director Ian Penny informed the NHLPA staff and the NHLPA Executive Board earlier today that it is his position he has been constructively dismissed as Interim Executive Director of the NHLPA and can no longer work in the present circumstances. Effective today, Ian Penny is no longer employed by the NHLPA.
There have been inaccurate media reports circulating today that the NHLPA has suspended operations. The NHLPA staff continues to work very hard on behalf of the players in all areas of the Association's business and will continue to do so going forward.
The NHLPA will make no further comment today on this internal matter."
HockeyCentral @ Noon’s Nick Kypreos reported earlier today that the NHLPA “is not a functioning organization right now.” and that "Interim Executive Director Ian Penny and Ombudsman Buzz Hargrove have also had their responsibilities suspended.
Both according to my sources are false reports.
"The NHLPA is still up and running," one source told me just a few minutes ago. "Also, Penny resigned and he wasn't suspended."
Kypreos also reported that "the NHLPA prevented Penny and Hargrove from contacting player representatives."
Kypreos is right on that but everything else is not accurate according to the two sources. According to these sources, yes Penny and Hargrove haven't been privy to recent transgressions within the NHLPA but that is the players' right and choice. For the last week they have chosen to not include Penny and Hargrove because they are the ones being investigated right now. Maybe Penny and Hargrove should ask Paul Kelly how that feels?
There is a lot of negative stuff that is about to break on Penny, Hargrove and what went down with the whole Kelly firing. The review committee of Mark Recchi, Nicklas Lidstrom, Rob Blake and Chris Chelios are currently reviewing the Kelly firing and this Kypreos report appears to be spin control by Penny and Hargrove in advance of what they must anticipate will be news that will cast them in a negative light.
But the bottom line is yes there is no official Executive Director but the NHLPA is still up and running and from the sounds of it, doing what Paul Kelly should've and probably wishes he did, clean house!
Sláinte!
Murph
"Interim Executive Director Ian Penny informed the NHLPA staff and the NHLPA Executive Board earlier today that it is his position he has been constructively dismissed as Interim Executive Director of the NHLPA and can no longer work in the present circumstances. Effective today, Ian Penny is no longer employed by the NHLPA.
There have been inaccurate media reports circulating today that the NHLPA has suspended operations. The NHLPA staff continues to work very hard on behalf of the players in all areas of the Association's business and will continue to do so going forward.
The NHLPA will make no further comment today on this internal matter."
HockeyCentral @ Noon’s Nick Kypreos reported earlier today that the NHLPA “is not a functioning organization right now.” and that "Interim Executive Director Ian Penny and Ombudsman Buzz Hargrove have also had their responsibilities suspended.
Both according to my sources are false reports.
"The NHLPA is still up and running," one source told me just a few minutes ago. "Also, Penny resigned and he wasn't suspended."
Kypreos also reported that "the NHLPA prevented Penny and Hargrove from contacting player representatives."
Kypreos is right on that but everything else is not accurate according to the two sources. According to these sources, yes Penny and Hargrove haven't been privy to recent transgressions within the NHLPA but that is the players' right and choice. For the last week they have chosen to not include Penny and Hargrove because they are the ones being investigated right now. Maybe Penny and Hargrove should ask Paul Kelly how that feels?
There is a lot of negative stuff that is about to break on Penny, Hargrove and what went down with the whole Kelly firing. The review committee of Mark Recchi, Nicklas Lidstrom, Rob Blake and Chris Chelios are currently reviewing the Kelly firing and this Kypreos report appears to be spin control by Penny and Hargrove in advance of what they must anticipate will be news that will cast them in a negative light.
But the bottom line is yes there is no official Executive Director but the NHLPA is still up and running and from the sounds of it, doing what Paul Kelly should've and probably wishes he did, clean house!
Sláinte!
Murph
Recent Puck Scribblings; Bergeron Back But Lack Of Respect Still Exists Amongst NHLers
Happy Friday! Hope you have your costumes ready and have a great Halloween weekend!
So here is my weekly story update from NESN.com. Had a good talk with Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron who suffered a grade 3 concussion just over two years ago on October 27. Kind of ironic that we're talking about such hits exactly two years later but I guess as this story proves, there still needs to be more respect in the game.
Have a great weekend!
Murph
So here is my weekly story update from NESN.com. Had a good talk with Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron who suffered a grade 3 concussion just over two years ago on October 27. Kind of ironic that we're talking about such hits exactly two years later but I guess as this story proves, there still needs to be more respect in the game.
Have a great weekend!
Murph
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Live Blogging Bruins-Devils over at NESN.com; Chara calls out Ovechkin
Live blogging over at NESN.com.
Also earlier today I wrote a piece on the the Bruins' reactions to the recent rash of controversial hits. Interesting quotes from Chara as he basically says about time the league punishes Alexander Ovechkin for slew-footing and stopped giving him star treatment.
"There's been more of that lately and it's a dangerous play, too," Chara said of slew-footing. "I know that people want to go see star players but you can't have double standards. A slew-foot is a slew-foot no matter who does it."
Back to live blogging...
Sláinte!
Murph
Also earlier today I wrote a piece on the the Bruins' reactions to the recent rash of controversial hits. Interesting quotes from Chara as he basically says about time the league punishes Alexander Ovechkin for slew-footing and stopped giving him star treatment.
"There's been more of that lately and it's a dangerous play, too," Chara said of slew-footing. "I know that people want to go see star players but you can't have double standards. A slew-foot is a slew-foot no matter who does it."
Back to live blogging...
Sláinte!
Murph
Writing away at Porter's Bar; Brick between the benches Saturday
And no there has been no Guinness or Shipyard Pumpkin Head Ale consumed. However, post-game I will most definitely have to partake in some "Black-O-Lantern" which is a "Black and Tan" but with the Shipyard Pumpkin Head Ale in place of the Bass. That is now my official adult beverage of October.
I did enjoy a delicious Greek salad w/steak tips though and now I will have some steak and eggs for breakfast tomorrow thanks to the hefty portion served by the crew here. Speaking of the crew here, as I listen to "Melnick In The Afternoon" on the Team 990 online, I am being served by a wonderful waitress from Montreal, Katuah.
Mitch Melnick would like her I think because as he does, she has great taste in music. A little Etta James never hurt the soul. I also think he would like this place in general and the fine bartending of my mate Jim Mitchell. Jim is also a pretty solid musician. If you're in the North Station area on Halloween, Jim and his guided by voices tribute called Hot Freaks are playing the Porter's Halloween party. Might have take Mitch here if he ever comes down for a Bruins-Habs game but for now I think he'll be just fine watching Arlo Guthrie.
OK, back to writing, but before we do, NESN and Versus color man Andy Brickley will be between the benches for the Oilers-Bruins matinee at 1 p.m. Saturday on NESN. I also see that the Pens will be without Evgeni Malkin for possibly 2-3 weeks as he is out with a shoulder strain. While other teams will definitely suffer from the loss of their star players, something tells me the defending Stanley Cup Champions will keep motoring along.
Sláinte!
Murph
I did enjoy a delicious Greek salad w/steak tips though and now I will have some steak and eggs for breakfast tomorrow thanks to the hefty portion served by the crew here. Speaking of the crew here, as I listen to "Melnick In The Afternoon" on the Team 990 online, I am being served by a wonderful waitress from Montreal, Katuah.
Mitch Melnick would like her I think because as he does, she has great taste in music. A little Etta James never hurt the soul. I also think he would like this place in general and the fine bartending of my mate Jim Mitchell. Jim is also a pretty solid musician. If you're in the North Station area on Halloween, Jim and his guided by voices tribute called Hot Freaks are playing the Porter's Halloween party. Might have take Mitch here if he ever comes down for a Bruins-Habs game but for now I think he'll be just fine watching Arlo Guthrie.
OK, back to writing, but before we do, NESN and Versus color man Andy Brickley will be between the benches for the Oilers-Bruins matinee at 1 p.m. Saturday on NESN. I also see that the Pens will be without Evgeni Malkin for possibly 2-3 weeks as he is out with a shoulder strain. While other teams will definitely suffer from the loss of their star players, something tells me the defending Stanley Cup Champions will keep motoring along.
Sláinte!
Murph
Yann Danis relieves Martin Brodeur tonight; Updating all day and tonight on Bruins-Devils
At the TD Garden today for the Bruins-Devils. Of note from the game day skate, Yann Danis gets his first start of the season for the Devils tonight as he relieves Martin Brodeur who has started all ten of the games the Devils have played.
I should have an update up on NESN.com soon but my "Facing Off" preview is up there already as well as the first entry to my Live Blog. Disappointed to find out from Tom Gulitti over at his Fire and Ice blog that Andrew Peters replacing Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond on the fourth line. Really wanted to see how they fit that name on the back of Pierre-Luc's jersey! But looking forward to a possible Shawn Thornton-Andrew Peters bout.
By the way, have a piece on NHL.com on the four new coaches in Div. 1 college hockey this season. Pretty amazing resume for Nebraska-Omaha head coach Dean Blais and great chatting with C.J. Marottolo of Sacred Heart and good friend of my co-host on the Inside Hockey Radio Show, Toddy Carroll!
OK, off to Porter's Bar and Grille for my game day lunch. Will update soon.
Sláinte!
Murph
I should have an update up on NESN.com soon but my "Facing Off" preview is up there already as well as the first entry to my Live Blog. Disappointed to find out from Tom Gulitti over at his Fire and Ice blog that Andrew Peters replacing Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond on the fourth line. Really wanted to see how they fit that name on the back of Pierre-Luc's jersey! But looking forward to a possible Shawn Thornton-Andrew Peters bout.
By the way, have a piece on NHL.com on the four new coaches in Div. 1 college hockey this season. Pretty amazing resume for Nebraska-Omaha head coach Dean Blais and great chatting with C.J. Marottolo of Sacred Heart and good friend of my co-host on the Inside Hockey Radio Show, Toddy Carroll!
OK, off to Porter's Bar and Grille for my game day lunch. Will update soon.
Sláinte!
Murph
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
On NESN SportsDesk Tonight 10 p.m. talking Bruins/NHL; great Tim Thomas quote
I will be chatting Bruins and NHL on NESN Sportsdesk tonight. Until then, chilling in my old neck of the woods, H2O Town. Having some lunch with Joe Haggerty (WEEI.com) or for you Twitter followers @HackswithHaggs.
Here's my update at NESN.com from practice, basically what I said in earlier post. Looks like Tim Thomas vs. Martin Brodeur tomorrow night at the TD Garden.
Lots of writing to do but since we mentioned Thomas, here's a quickie from the reigning Vezina Trophy winner regarding goalies getting rushed and bowled over with more frequency. Apparently it is happening in practices too. Thomas claimed he has had to warn some teammates on more than one occasion to not crash the net in practice. One teammate replied:
"Are you scared I'll end your career or something?"
To which Thomas replied:
"No I was thinking I may have to end yours!"
Timmy is old school and doesn't take that from anyone! Jason Blake and Erik Cole take notice.
Sláinte!
Murph
Here's my update at NESN.com from practice, basically what I said in earlier post. Looks like Tim Thomas vs. Martin Brodeur tomorrow night at the TD Garden.
Lots of writing to do but since we mentioned Thomas, here's a quickie from the reigning Vezina Trophy winner regarding goalies getting rushed and bowled over with more frequency. Apparently it is happening in practices too. Thomas claimed he has had to warn some teammates on more than one occasion to not crash the net in practice. One teammate replied:
"Are you scared I'll end your career or something?"
To which Thomas replied:
"No I was thinking I may have to end yours!"
Timmy is old school and doesn't take that from anyone! Jason Blake and Erik Cole take notice.
Sláinte!
Murph
Bruins Practice Update 10/28
In the "Ice Box" in Wilmington, MA watching the tail end of Bruins practice. Full squad on the ice today. Players look to be serious, yet enjoying themselves out there. Talked a bit with GM Peter Chiarelli, who admitted he is in pain from a recent scope of his knee for loose cartilage.
Chiarelli believes that head shots and predatory hits will continue to be a hot-button issue when GM's meet in Toronto following the Hall of Fame inductions but does not expect any specific penalty or rule against such hits to derive from the meetings or recent incidents.
I am kind of in the same boat and will get more response from players today for a piece I should have up on NESN.com later today or tonight.
I will have more from here soon. Getting ready to go in for quotes.
Sláinte!
Murph
Chiarelli believes that head shots and predatory hits will continue to be a hot-button issue when GM's meet in Toronto following the Hall of Fame inductions but does not expect any specific penalty or rule against such hits to derive from the meetings or recent incidents.
I am kind of in the same boat and will get more response from players today for a piece I should have up on NESN.com later today or tonight.
I will have more from here soon. Getting ready to go in for quotes.
Sláinte!
Murph
NHL.com Northeast Division Notes October 28/Sens rediscover winning ways
My latest Northeast Division Notebook at NHL.com is up. Congrats again to Mark Recchi on his 1,500th game and also to Mike Cammalleri for his early success with the Habs! Both great fits for each respective team.
I also have a piece up at NHL.com on the surprising Senators. They may have looked shaky in their last two outings but they are definitely one of the early season surprises.
Off to Bruins practice in Wilmington, MA. Enjoy your days!
Sláinte!
Murph
I also have a piece up at NHL.com on the surprising Senators. They may have looked shaky in their last two outings but they are definitely one of the early season surprises.
Off to Bruins practice in Wilmington, MA. Enjoy your days!
Sláinte!
Murph
My apologies but Happy Belated "Break The Curse Day"!
Five years ago yesterday the Boston Red Sox broke the curse and won their first World Series in 86 years! I was at 21 Nickels Pub and Grille in Watertown. I'll never forget that and I will also never forget how I had two-week long hangover that never felt so good!
Happy belated "Break The Curse Day"!
Sláinte!
Murph
Happy belated "Break The Curse Day"!
Sláinte!
Murph
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Marchand yakking it up!
Checkout this comical piece by my good friend and colleague Joe Haggerty on Bruins rookie Brad Marchand who does his best to get under the skin of the opponent every game.
Great account of an encounter with Flyers forward Scott Hartnell!
Sláinte!
Murph
Great account of an encounter with Flyers forward Scott Hartnell!
Sláinte!
Murph
2010 NHL Draft in LA. Checkout this Bruins draft pick blog!
Yesterday I reported on a story by Rich Hammond in his LA Kings Insider blog on the Kings official website that the 2010 NHL Entry Draft will take place in Los Angeles either at the STAPLES Center or Nokia Center.
In my story I pointed out that the Bruins are currently slated to pick five times in the first two rounds of that draft. Well, friend and colleague Kirk Leudeke gave me a shout out on his blog that updates where those picks currently stand in the numerical order of the draft. He doesn't factor in the lottery but either way, the Bruins look to be in good shape for the future and possibly on that day, given they don't trade away the majority of those picks.
Great site Kirk and hope you're well. As always, thanks for your service to our country!
Sláinte!
Murph
In my story I pointed out that the Bruins are currently slated to pick five times in the first two rounds of that draft. Well, friend and colleague Kirk Leudeke gave me a shout out on his blog that updates where those picks currently stand in the numerical order of the draft. He doesn't factor in the lottery but either way, the Bruins look to be in good shape for the future and possibly on that day, given they don't trade away the majority of those picks.
Great site Kirk and hope you're well. As always, thanks for your service to our country!
Sláinte!
Murph
Update: Karlsson to Binghamton official
According to the Ottawa Sun's Don Brennan, rookie defenseman Erik Karlsson is now on his way to Binghamton and will be playing there for now. Sens GM Bryan Murray also told Brennan that playing for the Baby Sens won't count as a year towards Karlsson's NHL contract as I reported here earlier. Sorry about that!
Sláinte!
Murph
Sláinte!
Murph
Kings GM Dean Lombardi confirmed for 10/31 Inside Hockey Radio Show
I have confirmed that Kings GM Dean Lombardi will be a guest on the Inside Hockey Radio Show this Saturday at 3:25 p.m. ET. The Kings are off to a great start and all their drafting and development of their young prospects appears to be finally coming to fruition. Lombardi was instrumental in this process and is sure to be a great interview!
Remember you can listen to the show every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 on the Team 990 in Montreal. You can also find the archives here and at Insidehockey.com.
Sláinte!
Murph
Remember you can listen to the show every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208, and 3-4 on the Team 990 in Montreal. You can also find the archives here and at Insidehockey.com.
Sláinte!
Murph
Source: Sens to keep Karlsson and assign him to Binghamton
I have been told by a reliable source that the Senators will keep rookie defenseman Erik Karlsson and assign him to Binghamton. Karlsson, who was selected 15th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, has reached his nine-game tryout limit and through nine games he has only three assists and is a team worst minus 4.
“We’re going to have to make a decision, obviously, within the next 24 or 48 hours,” head coach Cory Clouston told the Ottawa Sun Monday. “There are some pros and cons (for keeping Karlsson). It’s going to be a tough decision either way. You’ve got to make a decision on what’s best for him in the long run and obviously what’s best for us immediately. There are a few other things we have to consider other than just his play and his development.”
Apparently GM Bryan Murray and Clouston have decided that it is better for Karlsson's development to remain in North America and under their watch.
Sláinte!
Murph
“We’re going to have to make a decision, obviously, within the next 24 or 48 hours,” head coach Cory Clouston told the Ottawa Sun Monday. “There are some pros and cons (for keeping Karlsson). It’s going to be a tough decision either way. You’ve got to make a decision on what’s best for him in the long run and obviously what’s best for us immediately. There are a few other things we have to consider other than just his play and his development.”
Apparently GM Bryan Murray and Clouston have decided that it is better for Karlsson's development to remain in North America and under their watch.
Sláinte!
Murph
My latest writing...
First post
Hello and welcome to my new blog DropPuckMurphy!
First off, a special thanks to Kevin Greenstein, Editor In Chief of Insidehockey.com for helping me set this space up. Kevin has been instrumental in my growth as a hockey reporter and is a close friend. Thanks KG!
So I've created this space to basically serve as a spot for me to link my latest hockey scribblings and also the latest edition of the Inside Hockey Radio Show which I host with Toddy Carroll every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com).
I will also share my latest thoughts and scoops on current hockey topics and happenings as well as a little glimpse into the adventure that is my life as a Johnny Cash, Irish punk-rock and reggae loving hockey scribe. Obviously, the site name is influenced from the greatest Irish punk rock band of all time, the Dropkick Murphys, both supporters and good friends of mine. Thanks to them for so many good memories and hockey talk!
I feel I have been blessed to have first off my family, friends and health but also at times a interesting, comical and enjoyable career and life. So here and there, I'll try and bring you the reader into it.
I will also share links to stories, blogs, audio clips and videos, especially those done by my friends and colleagues in the business.
I have no idea really how this will be received but I needed an online home of my own, so here it is! Thanks so much to all who have supported me and helped me get to where I am today, especially my amazing wife and my family!
OK, that's all for now!
Sláinte!
Murph
First off, a special thanks to Kevin Greenstein, Editor In Chief of Insidehockey.com for helping me set this space up. Kevin has been instrumental in my growth as a hockey reporter and is a close friend. Thanks KG!
So I've created this space to basically serve as a spot for me to link my latest hockey scribblings and also the latest edition of the Inside Hockey Radio Show which I host with Toddy Carroll every Saturday 2-4 p.m. ET on "NHL Home Ice" XM 204 and Sirius 208 and 3-4 p.m. ET on the Team 990 in Montreal (www.team990.com).
I will also share my latest thoughts and scoops on current hockey topics and happenings as well as a little glimpse into the adventure that is my life as a Johnny Cash, Irish punk-rock and reggae loving hockey scribe. Obviously, the site name is influenced from the greatest Irish punk rock band of all time, the Dropkick Murphys, both supporters and good friends of mine. Thanks to them for so many good memories and hockey talk!
I feel I have been blessed to have first off my family, friends and health but also at times a interesting, comical and enjoyable career and life. So here and there, I'll try and bring you the reader into it.
I will also share links to stories, blogs, audio clips and videos, especially those done by my friends and colleagues in the business.
I have no idea really how this will be received but I needed an online home of my own, so here it is! Thanks so much to all who have supported me and helped me get to where I am today, especially my amazing wife and my family!
OK, that's all for now!
Sláinte!
Murph
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