Streit to Philly

In a move that underscores the Philadelphia Flyers' desperation for a number one defenseman, the Flyers traded a draft pick (2014 fourth round pick) and a lower-level prospect (Shane Harper) to the New York Islanders to obtain the negotiating rights to impending free agent defenseman Mark Streit.  It is believed that the asking price that Streit set for the Islanders was too high for the Islanders and instead of letting him walk for nothing, got something in return.

As for the Flyers, they have been beset by injuries to their blue line the last few years, with Chris Pronger (likely to retire, if he hasn't already), Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn, Andrej Meszaros, and Nicklas Grossmann all missing time to injuries.  As for what the 35-year old defenseman from Switzerland can bring, he is an offensive force from the blue line, amassing six goals and 21 assists this past season.  However, he also has a reputation as a liability in his own zone, something that the Flyers should be able to compensate for, as the Flyers are known for having a better than average defense, and Streit could be paired with someone like Luke Schenn.

This also highlights a bigger problem for the Flyers in recent years, as they've been unable to develop a top-flight defenseman.  Their best young defensemen?  Erik Gustafsson, Oliver Lauridsen, and Brandon Manning, all of whom are on the current Flyers roster (updated as of today), yet none of the three are anyone's idea of a number one (or number two, for that matter) defenseman.

Stanley Cup Prediction Time!

I inadvertently missed putting up the predictions for the Conference Finals (odd because I remembered to turn in the picks for the playoff pool I'm in, which bombed, by the way).  Today, I will put up predictions for the Stanley Cup Finals (while hopefully remembering to send in predictions to the playoff pool, even though I'm mathematically eliminated from winning anything at this point).

(1) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (4) Boston Bruins

Both teams have had their share of adversity in the playoffs, yet both had relatively easy times in their respective Conference Finals matchups.  Offensive edge goes to Chicago, yet don't underestimate the Bruins and their knack for clutch goals, while defensively, the Bruins are ahead here, but it's closer than you think because Chicago has a pretty good defense, as well.  Goaltending edge goes to Boston, as Tuukka Rask has proven that he can be a great starter, but Chicago has a pretty good starter, too in Corey Crawford.

Prediction: Boston in 7

New Oil

This past weekend, the Edmonton Oilers relieved Ralph Kreuger of his head coaching duties.  It didn't take them long to find a new man, as Dallas Eakins, the hot name in first-time NHL coaches, was given the job of turning a young, talented team into a playoff contender.  Eakins was a journeyman player who found success as coach in the AHL, as he led the Toronto Marlies to a Calder Cup final appearance in 2012, and was responsible for the development of the likes of James Reimer and Nazem Kadri.  The hire is seen as an outside-the-box move by the Oilers, who have traditionally hired people with some kind of tie to the organization.  Eakins' biggest challenge will be identifying a number one defenseman, as the Oilers are sorely lacking in that catagory.

Boston Rangers

In yesterday's post-game conference, there was a notable piece of clothing that Patrice Bergeron wore, and it looks a lot like what is in the picture.  As most teams do with various articles of clothing, be it a hard hat (Calgary did it during their 2004 Finals run), gold colored jacket (Boston did it in their run in 2011), or a hat with the Wonder bread logo (San Jose did it when Ron Wilson was coach), the player that does the most to help their team win wears that piece of clothing during their time in front of the media.  As for why the army jacket is the article of choice, much of that can be credited to Andrew Ference, who made a visit to the Army Rangers' training school in Georgia.  From the Bruins' website about the jacket:

"They live by a slogan, 'Rangers Lead the Way'," said Andrew Ference, on the meaning of the jacket, a specialized Bruins' one given to him by the Army Rangers, with customized Bruins and Rangers logos. "So I think it's fitting to give this to a player that led the way for us in a game. A lot less important than what [the Rangers] are doing, but for us, it's important to have guys step up. So they get to wear this for the night."

 In many respects, this kind of "trophy" is something that can build team unity in a hurry, and with the playoffs in full swing, it takes on a whole new meaning.  It's a nice thing the Bruins are doing, and it also honors in a way the men and women who serve this country.  There's no question the Bruins are hot right now, and they do so while shouldering the burden of being a rallying point for a city that needs all the good news they can get after a rather eventful past two months.

Making Over the NHL

Yesterday was a big day for makeovers, as the Carolina Hurricanes and the Dallas Stars both decided to change their looks.  The first happened at 11 AM CT, and the Carolina Hurricanes.  Here is their home looks for the upcoming season:

And the away uniform:

Most astute hockey fans have panned this overall look as ripping off the Team Canada design (sans numbering).  As for what I think of them, I have to say the home reds do absolutely nothing for me.  While it is simple looking, it (along with the road whites) relegates the warning flags striping that went around the waist to inside the collar.  I personally never get why teams (or Reebok, depending on who's responsible for this pointless endeavor) put things on the inside of the collar, as no one will see it on television or in live games.  The lace collar also makes very little sense, since it doesn't add anything to what is essentially a monochromatic jersey (a few spots of black notwithstanding).

The road whites are actually better looking, though that's truthfully not saying very much at this point.   There's a little better distribution with the reds and blacks, but like the home reds, there is very little, if any, silver, and that is something that besides the warning flag striping, denies the set of any real character.

As I have said on various pieces that have covered this change, the numbering and lettering resembles what the NBA's Portland Trailblazers use (the technical term is sans serif font), which may very well lead to an identity crisis, as for all intents and purposes, the Hurricanes' set has the template of Team Canada with the Trailblazers' font.

Later that evening, the Dallas Stars had their own rebranding, but they made it an hour-long event, and Icethetics was there to cover it.  As for what happened leading up to the event, that full report will be made and I will direct you to Icethetics as it comes up, but the basics you need to know are that there will be a number retirement ceremony on March 8, 2014 for Mike Modano, as his number 9 will be going up to the rafters on the same day the Stars are to face the Minnesota Wild, and of course, the Stars had their new look revealed.

photo by Icethetics

In looking at each of the jerseys, my initial reaction was they were alright, but nothing great.  However, as I look at them more and more, I really begin to appreciate them.  The logo itself is rather simplistic, but is also an easy way to represent Dallas, as the city is sometimes called, "Big D."  The numbering and lettering isn't too special, and certainly, the exclusion of yellow in the team's color scheme doesn't do it a great favor, but the green, silver, and black color scheme works just as well and firmly entrenches the Stars as a team from Dallas and not a team relocated from Minnesota.  The shade of green used is dominant and to this point, the Stars are now the only team to use the shade of pure green in any way, shape, or form.  While not a home run look, the Stars did well and I would give it a passing grade all around.

Returning to the WHL

Today is a big day for NHL teams getting makeovers, with Carolina set to unveil their new threads at 11 AM CT while the Dallas Stars will unveil at 5:30 PM CT.  Chris from Icethetics will be covering the Dallas Stars' unveiling in person and if you want to follow on Twitter, you can follow Icethetics there.  However, if you are like me and don't have Twitter, you can still follow all of the happenings and adventures on the Icethetics site.

Both will be talked about tomorrow, but today is about a coaching hire that is curious, to say the least.  The Prince Albert Raiders announced that Cory Clouston will be behind the bench for the Raiders starting next season.  The move comes after the Raiders had recently let go of Steve Young as coach and the Raiders underwent a rebranding that sees them emphasizing the green more.  Clouston has coaching experience, most notably with the Ottawa Senators from 2009 until 2011.  Prior to that, he had been head coach at Kootenay of the WHL, leading them to a Western Conference finals berth in 2005, and was coach at Binghamton of the AHL from 2007 until his promotion to head coach in February 2009.  After being canned in Ottawa, he was head coach of the Brandon Wheat Kings for the 2011-12 season, where he led them to a Conference semi-final.  Now, as Raiders coach, he will have to find some goaltending, but will likely have their two best players in Josh Morrissey and Leon Draisaitl back.

The Wonderful (and Wacky) World of Oz

Before I get to the subject of today's piece, I'd like to apologize for not putting in my preview for the NHL Conference Finals (though I did file one for a playoff pool I compete in annually).  For those interested in knowing who I picked, I have Kings in 7 and Penguins in 6.

Now, today is a book review by L. Frank Baum, who is most famous for writing the book that was made into the movie The Wizard of Oz.  The book, which is actually titled The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, would end up being the first of a 14-part series that Baum would write in his lifetime.

If you know the movie version, then you pretty much know what to expect from the book.  However, there are parts that aren't in the movie that are in the book, most notably the foursome's travel to the southern part of the magical land.  The book isn't anything truly special (read: not as engaging), but it is an easy read, so reading this book to children is something that you can do (if you have any).  Recommended more as a story to read to kids than on your own.