The Hockey News Champions Issue 2018

I HAD A ROOMMATE IN university who loved tennis. He was watching the final of a major one day, let’s say the French Open (just because), when another housemate – one who was even more fanatical about team sports than me – asked him who he was pulling for. The first roomie ruminated on it for a couple moments, then said, “I’m cheering for tennis.” Chuckles ensued. He may as well have said he was rooting for opera. For those of us raised on rivalry and the tribalism of Them versus Us, neutrality isn’t an option. Even if you’re Swiss. Histories breed underdogs and favorites, villains and heroes. The stories stoke our passion and give us additional incentive to emotionally invest. I confess, even though I’ve been schooled to be unbiased, I’ve…

Ecb (@bce1801) asks: “Where do you rank Nicklas Backstrom in the history of Swedish forwards? Could he get enough points to pass Mats Sundin all-time?” I believe he’s one of the best Swedish players, not just forwards, of all-time. He’s already 11th in points (799) and ninth in assists (590) among his NHL countrymen, and he’s fifth in points per game among qualified Swedish NHLers, too. He’s been excellent relative to his competition, ranking second in assists and fifth in points among all NHLers since he debuted in 2007-08. Backstrom, for me, should be mentioned in the same breath as Joe Thornton, Henrik Sedin and Ryan Getzlaf when we’re talking about the best pure playmaking centers of this generation. Backstrom has, of course, often had the luxury of playing with Alex Ovechkin…

When the Jets and Hawks stood together to pay tribute to Humboldt. – Greg Tretick @NHLBlackhawks emergency backup goalie Scott Foster stopping every shot he faced against the @NHLJets on March 29. – Christine Cutler Brian Boyle scoring a goal on “Hockey Fights Cancer Night” in New Jersey. – @nike__davis Sedinery vs. Arizona after the retirement announcement. – @RamadonCherry Gotta be the first home game in Las Vegas, hands down. – Josh Avedisian Watching Connor McDavid slowly creep his way up the scoring race to pass Nikita Kucherov and then take a big lead. Amazing for him to repeat as a scoring champ. – @mpaulm2002 Carey Price receives a standing ovation in Montreal after passing Hall of Fame goaltender Jacques Plante for first all-time on the Habs’ games-played list. – Jacob Pate The blink-of-an-eye moment when Alex…

WHEN DAVID QUINN WAS named the 35th coach in the history of the New York Rangers, it represented another piece in a puzzle being assembled by GM Jeff Gorton. The Rangers are rebuilding and wanted a fresh voice to lead behind the bench. But the hiring made NHL history as well, with Quinn now the fifth current coach who previously coached in the NCAA. Quinn joined Detroit’s Jeff Blashill, New Jersey’s John Hynes, Philadelphia’s Dave Hakstol and Dallas’ Jim Montgomery to eclipse the previous high of four (1981-82 – Herb Brooks, Marshall Johnston, Harry Neale and Glen Sonmor, according to College Hockey Inc.) Three of the most recent hires came directly from the U.S. college ranks in Boston University’s Quinn, North Dakota’s Hakstol and Denver’s Montgomery. Clearly, NHL front offices are opening…

HERB GARDINER | WCHL CHAMPIONS RING Though the 1923-24 Calgary Tigers were swept in the best-of-three Stanley Cup final, they didn’t walk away empty-handed that season. The Tigers captured the Western Canadian League title in an era when that league was on par with the NHL, earning championship rings in the process. Calgary then beat Vancouver, winners of the Pacific Coast Association, earning the right to battle the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens for the Stanley Cup. The owner of this ring was 33-year-old Tigers defenseman and coach Herb Gardiner. He was a rock-solid defensive stalwart who played 60 minutes a game and hit Howie Morenz so hard it knocked him over the boards. The champion Canadiens were so impressed that after the final game, coach-GM Leo Dandurand shook Gardiner’s hand and offered him a…

MICROMANAGED DON WADDELLHurricanes GM Good luck, Mr. Waddell. No one knows exactly how much owner Tom Dundon plans to meddle in the decision-making process, but his reported struggles to even find a GM say a lot. GREAT EXPECTATIONS BILL PETERSFlames coach Peters is respected but never made the playoffs in four tries with Carolina. He won’t have that much of a leash in a Canadian market. TURNKEY OPERATION KYLE DUBASMaple Leafs GM He’ll be scrutinized more than any new hire, but he takes over a rising Stanley Cup contender. He’s looking for finishing touches now, not foundational pieces. THE CLEANER ROD BRIND’AMOURHurricanes coach With so much turmoil and potential personnel change around him, it is Brind’Amour’s job to take whichever players remain and whip them into shape. HANDS ARE TIED PAUL FENTONWild GM Fenton takes over a team wanting to contend yet completely hamstrung…