So I am leaving the London news for last. Can you feel the anticipation building? I've got some cool stuff for that post. However here is all other non Bertuzzi, non London related news.
Ask Sevy has is being advertised again. So if you have a Hockey question, here is your chance!
Got a question about the Ducks or the game of hockey in general? You can send an email to Ducks radio analyst Brent Severyn and he'll give you an answer. He might read your question and answer it on the air during the second intermission of a Ducks broadcast.
CLICK HERE TO ASK SEVY!See the original post here - Link
So you create a game where a person can play as a hockey GM. How do you promote it? By scoring and interview with Jennifer Burke and challenging her and her husband Brian Burke to a game.
See the 5 minute (funny) video here - Link
Buy the game here - Link
USA Today has a "What to watch for this season in NHL" article today and the Ducks get some coverage
Three reasons the Ducks could repeat as Stanley Cup champions. 1. Even without Scott Niedermayer, the Ducks, with Mathieu Schneider added, have one of the league's better defenses. 2. No other team can match Anaheim's blend of talent and toughness. 3. This team understands what's required to win it all.
Three reasons the Ducks probably won't repeat: 1. The Ducks are banged up. Samuel Pahlsson, Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Schneider all are starting on the injured list. 2. Teemu Selanne has unofficially retired, and his eternal optimism and jovial demeanor will be missed. Even at the most pressure-filled times, Selanne could keep his teammates loose. 3. This is the salary-cap era, and there's too much parity to allow for any hint of dynastic rule.
Most improved teams: 1. Philadelphia Flyers. 2. Los Angeles Kings. 3. Washington Capitals.
Better than you realize: The Florida Panthers. Nathan Horton and Jay Bouwmeester are coming of age, and newcomer Tomas Vokoun brings stability in net. When you add the bullishness and talent of Olli Jokinen, you have the picture of a playoff team.
Read the rest here - Link
TSN cover the top 20 rookies in the NHL, Bobby Ryan is on that list
Bobby Ryan, RW, Anaheim - Power forward taken with the second pick in 2005 has earned a spot with the defending champs and is currently working with Ryan Getzlaf and Todd Bertuzzi on a potent power line. There's no telling how long Ryan will last in a prominent scoring role with the Ducks (particularly if Teemu Selanne was to return), but he had 102 points in the OHL last year, so he knows what to do around the net.
Read about the other rookies here - Link
The LA Times thinks the Ducks have what it takes to repeat and thoughts on will make it to the playoffs from the Western Conference
Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Washington's Alex Ovechkin, two talented forwards who play in the Eastern Conference, have been on the fast track to becoming the faces of the new NHL for a while now.
And rightfully so, based on their early success.
But news flash to the league: The Western Conference has a bunch of young phenoms too, starting with the Ducks' Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, Colorado's Paul Stastny and the Kings' Anze Kopitar.
Throughout the west, every team seems to have a youngster with enough size and skill to dominate offensively and enough grit to be known as a solid two-way player. How quickly they develop will go a long way toward determining who wins the Western Conference this season.
The Ducks hold the distinction as defending Stanley Cup champions, but for them to become the conference's first repeat winner since the Dallas Stars in 1999-2000, they are going to have to hold off several Cup-ready teams.
The San Jose Sharks and Detroit Red Wings thought they were ready last season and are determined to take the next step this season. Colorado, Vancouver, Minnesota and Calgary believe this could be their time, while teams such as St. Louis, Dallas and even the Kings, think that they are good enough to surprise.Read the rest here - Link
The LA Times also have a brief scouting report on the Ducks
2006-07 record: 48-20-14, 110 points, first in Pacific.
* Playoffs: Defeated Minnesota, 4-1, in first round; defeated Vancouver, 4-1, in second round; defeated Detroit, 4-2, in Western Conference finals; defeated Ottawa, 4-1, in Stanley Cup finals.
* Coach: Randy Carlyle, third season.
* Additions: Todd Bertuzzi, Shane Hnidy, Maxim Kondratiev, Mathieu Schneider, Jonas Hiller, Brandon Segal, Bobby Ryan, Mark Mowers.
* Subtractions: Scott Niedermayer, Teemu Selanne, Dustin Penner, Ric Jackman, Ryan Shannon, Mark Hartigan, Shawn Thornton.
* Outlook: And now they are the target. The rough-and-tumble Ducks started fast, survived a spate of injuries and rode a postseason wave that culminated in their first title. Now they must defend without Niedermayer and Selanne, who may call it quits for good. Schneider and Bertuzzi can put up numbers when healthy but can they replace the dynamic duo's leadership?See the original article here - Link
The Stanley Cup visits Maine
The most famous trophy in all of sports, the Stanley Cup, will make an appearance in Maine.
The Anaheim Ducks, who won 2006 Stanley Cup Finals, will bring the trophy to Maine Saturday, Oct. 6. The NHL Ducks’ are the parent team of the AHL Portland Pirates, who open their season against the Springfield Falcons at 7:05 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5.
Fans hoping to see the Cup will have several opportunities to do so Saturday, Oct. 6. The Cup will appear at five different locations, where fans can view the trophy. The tour starts from 9-10 a.m. at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, home of the Lewiston Maineiacs. From there, the Cup heads to L.L. Bean from 11 a.m.-noon, then to the Portland Museum of Art from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and finally to Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital from 1:45-2:30 p.m.
The Cup will end up at the Cumberland County Civic Center at 5:15 p.m. prior to the start of the Pirates game at 7:05 p.m. against Lowell.
Thanks to Maine Today for the info - Link
